The Mail told how Samantha Cameron was 'taking her husband's austerity drive to heart, as her purchases came to under £250'. The visit came at a convenient time - just as Number 10 was forced to give a breakdown of the £64,000 refurbishment of the Camerons' Downing Street flat, which included a luxury toilet and floating ceiling.
HOW I SEE IT - Jonathan Oliver, Director media relations, TLG
I suspect most readers will see through this synthetic tabloid row created to justify publication of snatched pictures taken on private property.
Samantha Cameron has rightly won plaudits in the style pages for mixing designer and high street labels in her wardrobe. Therefore, installing a designer kitchen and accessorising the home with Ikea storage units feels entirely authentic. Granted, this country is going through a tough period of austerity. Granted also that the quotes from Ikea about Dave having to get his screwdriver out were rather cheesy for my palate.
However, Mrs Cameron should not be pilloried for wanting her kitchen, neglected by the previous occupants, to be both tough enough to survive the punishment meted out by her three boisterous children and stylish enough to impress visiting world leaders.
HIT.
