THERESA May awarded her controversial civil service Brexit guru Oliver Robbins an“unbelievable” £20,000 performance related bonus last year.
Downing Street defended the lump sum saying it had been subject to a “robust process” by an independent committee, but admitted the PM had signed off the perk on top of his £110,000 salary.
The unelected mandarin has spearheaded Mrs May’s softer Brexit stance - to the fury of Brexiteers.
Last night Tory MP Conor Burns said it was “unbelievable”, while Andrew Bridgen said it should have been paid by Brussels.
He hit out: "Given the complete capitulation of the UK's negotiating position overseen by Olly Robbins, I think it should be the EU paying his bonus, not the UK taxpayer."
Details of the controversial payment were snuck out as Westminster winded down for the long summer holidays - on a day nicknamed “take out the trash Thursday” as Whitehall departments try to bury bad news.