Energy minister ‘thinks more of his dog than us’ complains colleague

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Central Government and also in Environment

Energy minister Greg Barker is reported to have been causing problems with his sausage dog, Otto.

The Tory MP is said to have used an office microwave at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to heat a cushion for his pet.

The pampering act upset civil servants that use the microwave to heat their lunches and believed the cushion to be unhygienic.

A source told the Daily Mail that "When [he] first arrived we had to watch our step, as the dog wandered around the office.

"We put up with that. But when he started using our microwave to keep the dog nice and snug with a heated cushion, it proved he thinks more of the dog than us.”

According to The Telegraph, however, other sources have welcomed the animal’s presence.

An insider said: “Otto really cheers the place up and most people love seeing him when they go to a meeting with the minister. They are disappointed when he isn’t there. He is well-behaved and very sociable.

"[He’s] brilliant for bringing people together – essential when you are working in a coalition."

Otto met with the Colombian environment minister in March, along with his master. The occasion perhaps proved too much for him as he defecated during the meeting.

However, proud owner Barker tweeted in defense of the pooch: “My pup Otto most put out by MoS claim he became "over excited" meeting Colombian Env minister. They loved him + all insisted on a photo!”