Hunt's $14,000 booze bill

High Commissioner to London Jonathan Hunt has spent $14,428 on alcohol in his nine months in the job.

Figures issued to the Sunday Star-Times by the Foreign Affairs Ministry showed Mr Hunt - a former Labour MP who was dubbed Minister of Wine and Cheese while in Government - had spent $14,428 on wine and beer, $6307 on functions, and $2155 on lunches and dinners since last April.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Murdoch, said Mr Hunt had decided to build up alcohol supplies to use at functions during the next three years.