Treasury questions No 10 alcohol minimum price push

15-Apr-2012 - Last updated on 12-Mar-2017 at 02:27 GMT

High-ranking Treasury officials have admitted that there are questions over the legality of David Cameron’s plans for a minimum alcohol unit pricing policy, according to drinks industry sources.

A report in the Sunday Telegraph has revealed that a private meeting was held on 26 March, three days after the Prime Minister set out his controversial alcohol strategy.

Drinks industry sources said that Whitehall officials told representatives it was their understanding minimum unit pricing did raise legal concerns.

The meeting had been planned prior to Mr Cameron’s announcement to discuss more routine tax issues.

But minimum unit pricing was raised among the opening remarks, with Treasury officials relaying their view that the policy could have difficulties under European law.

The Treasury disputes that it said anything more than laying out some of the legal issues, although industry sources said it went further than that.