Whitehall chiefs' perks revealed

Wimbledon proved a popular destination for mandarins

The hospitality enjoyed by top civil servants - including meals, trips to the opera, tennis and cricket matches - has been revealed for the first time.

The details, for 2007, show seven Whitehall chiefs, including civil service head Sir Gus O'Donnell, went free to the Wimbledon championships.

Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup was among those attending.

Business department permanent secretary Sir Brian Bender declared 47 free meals during the period.

Sir Brian, due to retire next month, also went to Wimbledon and other events including the Derby, the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as being wined and dined by some of the UK's biggest companies.

Sir Gus attended the Chelsea Flower show as a guest of accountancy firm KPMG, Wimbledon courtesy of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and an England football match paid for by the FA.

'Life training'

The report shows that he donated