Tory MP's extraordinary avocado bowl demands to housekeeper 'treated like slave'

04 February 2023 , 22:22

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Hazel Settas has outlined the treatment she received at the home of Tory Jonathan Djanogly (Image: TIM ANDERSON)

Dickensian working conditions imposed at MP Jonathan Djanogly’s home are outlined in written instructions revealed by former employee Hazel Settas.

The former housekeeper was one of two women who took the MP's wife to court over unpaid wages - and won.

Orders running to more than 100 words addressed the ripeness of avocados. They said: “Check the avocados in the bowl & put any that are slightly soft into the fridge.

“Check to see if there are 8 soft avocados in the fridge... if not add up the missing number of soft avocados and put this number of hard avocados into the fruit bowl.

“So if there are 2 soft avocados in the fridge put 6 hard into the bowl. Or if there are no soft avocados in the fridge put 8 into the bowl.

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"If we have less than 8 avocados in total put on shopping list. Now review soft avocados – If there are any that you... will not eat today and that are unlikely to last till tomorrow then let RD [Rebecca Djanogly] know by WA [WhatsApp].”

The two women worked at the home of Jonathan Djanogly and his wife Rebecca (Andrew Parsons / i-Images)

Tory Mr Djanogly has been an MP since 2001 (crown copyright)

Housekeepers also had a “morning priority items” list instructing: “PLEASE DO TASKS IN ORDER SHOWN.”

The housekeeper was instructed to clean the bottom of her shoes “with kitchen roll if there are solids... but just a damp blue cloth if no solids and dry the bottom with a dry cloth”.

The housekeeper had to follow strict rules around avocados (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Of hand-washing, the order read: “Don’t turn on the tap till you have finished cleaning hands with the liquid soap.” Another note said: “The idea of the chart is so you know if I’m happy. If the chart is done then I’m happy.

"It’s [sic] a big house and you cant [sic] remember everything so please stick with the chart and take it round with you... don’t tick before you’ve completed line on the chart. Let me repeat… don’t tick before you’ve completed the line on the chart.”

Simon Murphy