A Tory MP who said Marcus Rashford should spend less time “playing politics” over free school meals previously moaned the taxpayer subsidised food in the House of Commons was “too expensive.”
Natalie Elphicke, a former barrister who now earns more than £80,000 a year as an MP, said food in the Commons restaurants and bars was “overpriced.”
But rather than increasing the prices, Ms Elphicke suggested reducing the cost and choice of food available to staff and MPs.
“Schools produce food within an agreed budget, so should the House canteens,” she said in a WhatsApp message in October 2020, seen by the Mirror.
“I find the food overpriced and too expensive to buy, and there is unnecessary waste due to an unnecessary range of choices.
“I have observed many staff also bring in their lunch (I have canned food and use the microwave in preference).”
At the time the was sent, ministers faced fury over plans to stop free school meals over the school holidays.
Boris Johnson was forced into a U-turn after England star Mr Rashford spoke out about his “despair” over the row.
And following the England team’s defeat in the Euro 2020 final, in which Mr Rashford missed a crucial penalty, Ms Elphicke wrote to colleagues: "They lost - would it be ungenerous to suggest Rashford should have spent more time perfecting his game and less time playing politics."
Mrs Elphicke later apologised, saying: ”Last night I shared the frustration and heartbreak of millions of other England fans.
“I regret messaging privately a rash reaction about Marcus Rashford's missed penalty and apologise to him for any suggestion that he is not fully focused on his football."
There are thought to be around 200 Tory MPs in the group the messages were posted to.
In response to the Marcus Rashford message, Labour leader Angela Rayner slammed Mrs Elphicke for “sneering at the inspirational players who stepped up to feed hungry kids when they voted to leave them without food."
Mrs Elphicke told the Mirror: “As my WhatsApp message makes clear, I believe the House of Commons catering subsidy is wrong and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“Despite the subsidy of £3million per year, the meals at Westminster are over-priced. Many MPs and Parliamentary staff do not use the dining facilities for that reason.
“All that that is needed is for Parliamentary catering facilities to produce basic canteen meals at cost price, within a set budget.
“The public rightly do not expect to see MP’s workplace meals subsidised by taxpayers’ money which should be spent on others in need.”
Get a daily morning politics briefing straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Politics newsletter
Catering services across the House of Commons operate at a loss, costing taxpayers £2.6m in 2018-19.
Several bars and restaurants operate within the Commons, with food and drink sold lower prices than nearby pubs and restaurants.
But Commons authorities have said the catering service can’t run on a commercial basis because Parliament operates on irregular and unpredictable hours.
