Free portraits of Charles III for all public bodies, but £8m cost branded ‘shameful’

Anti-monarchist claims the official portraits of the head of state are ‘scandalous’ at the time of spending cuts

Ministers have been accused of “losing the plot” after setting aside £8m to offer every public body a free portrait of King Charles.

In a move that drew criticism amid complaints of shrinking budgets across Whitehall and local government, Oliver Dowden, the cabinet office minister, said it was part of plans to celebrate the new reign and bring the nation together.