UK officials probed for sex

2006-06-12 15:31

London - Leaping naked from filing cabinets, taking drugs and having sex in the toilets are just a few of the complaints being investigated on Monday against a group of civil servants in northern England.

The Rural Payments Agency, which was linked to the department of environment, food and rural affairs, said one employee at its office in Newcastle had been sacked and others were facing disciplinary action.

The comment came after a whistleblower at the Newcastle office outlined a series of allegations about his workplace to a local newspaper, which included:

Staff leaping naked from filing cabinets, which was caught on closed circuit television (CCTV);

A new craze of vomiting in cups and leaving them to fester in cupboards until they were discovered through the horrendous smell;

People taking drugs and having sex in the toilets;

Swearing and having fun-fights in the reception area; and

Staff holding break-dancing competitions during working hours.

In a letter to the Evening Chronicle, the whistleblower wrote: "I am appalled at the level of depravity that is being tolerated at my workplace."

A spokesperson for the Rural Payments Agency said: "Allegations of serious misconduct by some agency and permanent staff at our Newcastle office is the subject of an ongoing internal investigation.

"Disciplinary action and a dismissal have already taken place and further action is pending."

The spokesperson declined to make any further comment on the matter, but emphasised that the agency expected high standards of its staff.

- AFP