At a time when people are expected to keep head above water and organisations are introducing austerity measures to tackle financial crunch, it seems the head of the cash-strapped Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal, has failed to keep the common touch, if the £250,000 expenditure to redecorate Baroness’s official Mayfair residence is anything to go by.
This comes as the 67-year-old organisation is reported to be on the brink of financial collapse. Senior figures from the Indian government were alarmed saying “We are the fourth largest financial contributor to the Commonwealth. We have concerns about how the budget is being spent.” A source closer to the prime minister’s office said there was no hint India would reduce its contributions.
A letter issued by the Commonwealth two weeks ago confined the financial situation. According to the letter Lady Scotland assembled an emergency meeting on 19th Oct “about the dire financial position of the Commonwealth secretariat because it had detonated since the board meeting on October 10”. The meeting was however cancelled once the secretary general “received assurance from at least one big contributor that they will expedite payment of the dues.” This has indicted the body is surviving financially on a weekly basis.
Baroness Scotland who took over the £140,000 a year job of sectary general asked for the bathroom to be ripped out and new furnishings including a £4000 mirror lined cupboard out in. Additional she demanded new, more expensive be used, a £2000 dishwasher and fabric linings worth £16,000. Aides to sectary general also asked for marble window near entrance hall, a runner for the wooden staircase costing £2,500 and £81 per metre carpets. The refurbishment included relocating a £1,200 chandelier, according to the Guido Fawkes website.
When Asian Voice pressed on the matter a Downing Street spokesperson said “It was a matter for the General Secretary. India is one of 43 Commonwealth members and she has to focus on her job which is to modernise the institution.”
