A civil servant has resigned amid claims he ran a bakery while off work from his Government responsibilities.
The Whitehall worker at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has resigned following allegations he had been operating a private business while not actively carrying out his Government duties.
Civil servants are generally permitted to have second jobs provided they seek permission, but the official is understood to not have undertaken any meaningful departmental work since late 2024, during which time he reportedly continued to receive a taxpayer-funded annual salary of approximately £36,000.
GB News understands that the civil servant has worked at the department for many years, but that he had not been to work for at least eight months, citing various personal problems.
But Companies House records show that the civil servant registered a bakery business in April, where he is listed as sole director and person with significant control.
The shop lists his personal phone number online.
The civil servant is believed to have resigned earlier this week after colleagues raised concerns that he was running the bakery while not turning up to work at the department.
A source with knowledge of the Government’s departmental processes said: “There are clear rules around absence and special leave.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
“This could indicate a serious misuse of public money, a failure of internal oversight, and potential exploitation of the system.”
They added: “The episode has raised wider concerns about absence monitoring and internal accountability across Government departments, particularly in relation to remote working arrangements and long-term special leave.”
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “The protection of taxpayers’ money is of the utmost importance and where we find any instances of wrongdoing we will investigate thoroughly and take the necessary action.”
Pressed on the possibility of an investigation to recoup taxpayer funding, a departmental source said it was keeping options under review.
When approached for comment by GB News, the Whitehall worker denied the allegations.