By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline From Daily Mail UK

Three Border Force officials stayed at the luxury Sugar Ridge for 64 days in total
Sugar Ridge is described as a ‘dream setting, with waterfalls and a lap pool’
Some rooms cost US$600 a night and half of them have private plunge pools
Home Office admitted the prestigious accommodation might ‘raise concerns’
But the department insisted it had ‘balanced’ costs with the need for security

Three government officials ran up a bill of more than £18,000 staying at a ‘dream’ holiday resort on a Caribbean island, it can be revealed.

The group were booked in at the luxury Sugar Ridge Resort on Antigua for a total 64 days as they advised the local authorities on drug trafficking.

The destination boasts an infinity pool, waterfalls and private plunge pools as well as a ‘concept’ spa, gym and gourmet restaurant.

Details of the trip, which took place at peak holiday season, were disclosed to MailOnline after a long-running Freedom of Information battle.

Campaigners lashed out at the ‘ridiculous’ costs – which included £12,126 for accommodation, £4,144 for subsistence, £1,310 for car hire, and £994 for flights.

The Home Office admitted the idea of government officials staying at a luxury resort might ‘raise concerns’.

But it insisted Sugar Ridge – which is one of the one of the top rated resorts on Antigua, with some rooms costing upwards of USD600 a night – offered the right balance between ‘cost and security’.

The resort’s website described it as a ‘stylish and intimate family owned lifestyle boutique hotel for discerning travellers who want to connect with the beautiful island of Antigua in a special way’.

Guests are also advised it is the ‘perfect place to retreat, relax, recharge and re-energise, and the perfect base from which to explore’.

A particular feature is ‘Carmichael’s infinity pool’, which is said to be ‘perfect for sunset gazing and conversations, with drinks served poolside’.

‘The Sugar Club pool is a dream setting, with waterfalls, a lap pool and a fun pool as well as covered and open lounge areas,’ the site says.

‘Enjoy drinks from the bar or waiter service right to your poolside lounger and Happy hour 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm daily.’

Main courses at the gourmet restaurant looking out across the Caribbean include Maple Leaf Duck Two Ways, costing USD38, and Herb Crusted & Roasted Rack of Lamb at USD47.

The resort boasts that all 60 rooms are ‘wrapped around the hillside with a natural landscape providing seclusion and privacy offering spectacular views and spacious verandahs’.

More than half have their own private plunge pools.

There is also an opulent ‘concept spa’ on site offering treatments such as facials, waxing and pedicures, yoga classes and a gym.

The FOI response from the Home Office said officials had been invited by the Antiguan Customs authorities to help ‘build the capacity and capability’ at the country’s main airport.

It said smuggling of Class A drugs from the region, often having originated in South America, represented a ‘real and present threat to the UK’.

Between January 14 and February 5, 2016 three Border Force officers stayed for a total of 64 nights.

‘During this deployment, and at the invitation of the Antigua Customs authorities, the UK Border Force staff provided practical assistance and training for local customs officers in border protection techniques and how to prevent current smuggling methodologies,’ the department said.

‘The officers selected for deployment were based within the Caribbean region and travelled by economy flights.’

The Home Office said the safety of officials was ‘paramount’ and suggested they might have ‘under observation’ by criminal gangs.

The Home Office said the officers chosen for the assignment were based in the Caribbean region and travelled using economy flights.

A spokesman added: ‘To find suitable and safe accommodation, Border Force would usually select a business chain hotel.

‘For this deployment, none exist on the island, nor are there any hotels within the airport complex.

‘Sugar Ridge offered the most suitable option available in terms of balancing cost and security, and it offered a significant discount on their standard tourist rates.

‘This department has very clear guidelines on the procurement of goods and services that provide the best value for money for the taxpayer.

‘This applies to all travel and travel-related expenses which are routinely audited to ensure we keep in line with Government policy.’

Chloe Westley, Campaign Manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: ‘This is just ridiculous.

‘Hard pressed families who work hard and pay their taxes could only dream of experiencing some of the luxuries that these officials have taken for granted on the public purse.

‘The Home Office should be more respectful of taxpayers money and reconsider whether these working visits abroad are needed, especially at a time when other savings are being made across government departments.’

IMAGES:

The resort’s website describes it as a ‘stylish and intimate family owned lifestyle boutique hotel for discerning travellers’

The Sugar Ridge resort is set amid lush countryside and right by the picturesque seafront

The resort is among the island’s highest rated by users of the tripadvisor website

The delegation is understood to have been on Antigua for talks about drug trafficking

The hotel receipts reveal how the costs of the stay racked up +9

Details of the trip, including the hotel bill statements, were disclosed to MailOnline after a long-running Freedom of Information battle

Half the rooms at Sugar Ridge boast private plunge pools for guests to relax in

The infinity pool at the Sugar Ridge Resot on Antigua is said to be ‘perfect for sunset gazing and conversations, with drinks served poolside’

The group of Home Office officials ran up bills totalling more than £18,000 for the trip and stays at Sugar Ridge

For more on this story go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5206033/Three-government-staff-spend-18-000-Caribbean-resort.html#ixzz532SCPypx