Alan Johnson accused of blatent hypocrisy

Alan Johnson accused of blatent hypocrisy

Pink champagne socialist? Alan Johnson's so worried about how poor will cope with VAT hike he goes for two-hour lunch at the Savoy to talk it over

In the morning he was touring the radio stations, protesting that the VAT rise would hit the poorest hardest.

But Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson made a series of gaffes, including committing Labour – apparently accidentally – to an increase in National Insurance to replace the VAT rise.

And by lunchtime his concerns seemed to have evaporated as he was spotted enjoying a lavish lunch washed down by pink champagne - Bollinger at £16.50 a glass - and a bottle of fine red wine in the glamorous surroundings of the Savoy Bar and Grill.