Somalia President’s Luxury Trip at Your Expense

London May 12, 2013 (SDN) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud enjoyed business-class flights, a chauffeur-driven car and rooms at the posh Dorchester hotel — at UK expense.  Five of his ministers and 14 flunkeys were flown to Britain and put up to attend a conference which saw millions more in aid handed to the war-torn country.  PM David Cameron joined other nations to back a £50million pot for Somalia at the gathering in Lancaster House last week.  Britain already provides £80million a year in aid. President Mohamud, 57, and his entourage had four nights at the Dorchester — where rooms start at £318 a night and the most expensive suite at £9,318 a night. If the delegation stayed in the cheapest rooms, the hotel bill would have hit £25,440. Air fares are another £24,158. And a chauffeur-driven limo costs £400 a day — making the estimated bill at least £50,798. The Taxpayers’ Alliance said: “It’s ridiculous.”  The Foreign Office refused to reveal the cost but said the conference was “vital”.  Diplomats and Foreign Office pen pushers trousered £91million in bonuses and top-up pay last year, figures reveal.  An allowance system saw them given extra cash for working abroad and for working in London — plus money for extra luggage.  School fees and danger money were among 18 taxpayer-funded handouts unearthed by Tory MP Priti Patel.  She said: “Taxpayers will be shocked to see officials being bribed just to work in London.”

THE SUN