‘No waste of money’

THE Government insists that it was not a waste of taxpayers’ money to spend £2.6 million on a room for White House-style televised press conferences after abandoning the plan for the regular briefings.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the room in No9 Downing Street will now be used to host ministerial press conferences. Mr Dowden said the modern facility would also be available for future governments in years to come and was “similar” to what is available in other countries.