Further political embarrassment has been heaped on the Prime Minister David Cameron, as it has been revealed that during Andy Coulson's whole tenure as the Head of Communications for Downing Street, he was receiving regular food parcels from News of the World as part of his severance package after standing down as editor of the newspaper. Questions are being asked as to why Coulson needed or asked for New International to feed him food long after he left their employment and where his loyalties really lied.
It appears that Coulson tabloid palate, having practically grown up at News of the World and The Sun, together with his Essex boy tastes, meant that he could not stomach the fancy food served at Downing Street. Rejecting the food at Downing Street means he joins the company of people like John Prescott (whose wife made his packed lunch) and Peter Mandelson (who insisted on Brazilian food from home) but under Cameron the food served for the staff is cooked by the prime minister's wife Samantha Cameron, who is celebrated around Notting Hill and posh circles for her legendary dinner parties. Rejecting the PM's wife's cooking whilst not a treasonable offence, is something even George Osbourne would dare not do.
Jamie Oliver who is also from Essex, believes that Coulson like him can't stand, fussy and fancy food when you are busy and in a rush, 'what you need is some bish bash bosh nosh that keeps you going'.
But a strange part of his food parcels from News International was fruit, chocolates and other sugary treats which surely he could have got from the newsagent in Whitehall. A source who has eaten at Downing Street, said that Sam Cam has a strong influence on her husband in a way that puts Cherie Blair to shame. She is very fussy about any toxic food entering the building such as chocolates and even with fruit she insists on things that are in season in an English garden. Carbohydrates have been banned expect for Eric Pickles who has a doctor's certificate proving that he needs to eat pies every day.
"It was very draining working in a highly stressful environment like No.10 when the wife forbids these hard working men a sugary kick or comfort food and all they have are some sunflower seeds or dried fruit," says a former intern. Coulson allegedly put a call into Rebekah Wade his former boss to ask for some help, after he started to get home sick for Wapping and the deal was struck says sources.
Northern Labour MPs who have no time for fancy food are not showing any sympathy for Coulson's food parcels, and have asked what other things were covered by his former employers. Big questions mark now hangs over whether Rebekah Wade was secretly placing messages and instructions in his meals. Political bloggers are also asking if Coulson could turn is nose up at his bosses wife's food, what sort of power did he really have on No.10.
David Cameron at time of writing was in Cornwall eating some organic ice cream and was unavailable for comment.
