Jacob Rees-Mogg warned government officials that he would sell his offices if not used, in a threat that doubled his criticism of working from home.
The cabinet minister sparked an online debate after encouraging a return to the office, leaving notes in Whitehall’s empty workspace with the message: “I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.”
Asked if the notes were intended to scare people back into the office, Mr Rees-Mogg said: “No, no, no – I have a number of responsibilities, one of which is the state property agency.
“We have a very expensive property in London, it is there to be used. If people don’t use it – they don’t need first class London office space – they can be elsewhere.
“So people have to either come to work or the office space can be reallocated to people who will use it.”
He confirmed that this could mean selling a government office, adding: “We don’t need expensive space in London if government officials don’t use it.”
The cabinet minister told ITV News that he could see links between senior figures working from home and problems encountered in some departments and agencies, saying “people are setting an example”.
He urged his cabinet colleagues earlier this week to send a clear message to employees about a “quick return to the office”.
Downing Street said earlier this week that Prime Minister Boris Johnson supported Mr Rees-Mogg’s efforts to encourage his return to office.
“What the minister is trying to achieve is to do everything possible to return the civil service to pre-pandemic levels,” a spokesman for the prime minister said.
“It simply came to our notice then. This is supported by the Secretary of the Cabinet and obviously by the Prime Minister. “
Asked if the notes left on Mr. Rees-Mogg’s desks were helpful, the spokesman said Mr Johnson “supports any initiative that encourages people to return to work before the pandemic.” “We are not talking about ending the flexible work that continues to have a place in the modern workplace, we are talking about returning to the pre-pandemic use of taxpayer-funded departmental buildings.”
The Brexit minister also suggested that fellow women, who say an MP has openly watched porn in the House of Commons, report directly to it for investigation, calling the allegations “horrific”.
He said the independent grievance scheme, set up when he was leader of the House, was designed to deal with proposals like this.
But when it was pointed out that they would only start a case if a witness appeared – he said: “There will certainly be a complaint – if what he heard is true, it is so unusual that you would expect a complaint to come through.”
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