Beckett takes husband on eight world trips

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Since becoming Foreign Secretary in May, Mrs Beckett has taken her husband on eight overseas visits, often at the taxpayers' expense

Margaret Beckett is under pressure to justify the travel costs of her globe-trotting husband Leo.

Since becoming Foreign Secretary in May, Mrs Beckett has taken her husband on eight overseas visits, often at the taxpayers' expense.

The revelation has prompted questions about the status of Mr Beckett, 79, who regularly turns up at the Foreign Office to help his wife.

Mr Beckett is paid from his wife's parliamentary allowance to work on constituency matters. However, this has not prevented him from accompanying his wife on trips to America, Berlin, Brazil, Mexico, India and the Baltic states.

Foreign Secretaries are occasionally accompanied by their spouses but Mr Beckett's frequent flying is thought to be unprecedented. Former Europe Minister David Heathcoat-Amory said that when he was in office ministers were only allowed to take their spouse on one foreign trip a year.

"Leo should not be going unless there is some proven reason - and just being husband is not good enough," he said.

A spokeswoman for Mrs Beckett said: " Leo Beckett is employed by Margaret Beckett and continues to provide advice and support as a member of her full-time staff, as he has done for more than 20 years. His overseas travel is agreed by Downing Street." The spokeswoman added: "I don't want to be specific. He is a bit of a one-off."

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said: "I think it would be wise if Mr Beckett's status could be clarified.

"There may be a case for spouses to accompany a minister when they are away for a long time, but I think that such trips should be the exception rather than the rule."

 

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