Clifton, the swanky Devonshire home upgraded for more than $1.5 million for the Premier’s use, will be rented out next month to the private sector.

Premier Ewart Brown has decided to stay put in his own Smith’s home so Works and Engineering are to lease it to the highest bidder.

Already an international business and a private individual have expressed interest in letting the 200-year-old home on Middle Road.

Asked if the recent upgrade had been a waste of money Civil Service Head Major Kenneth Dill said: “No, not at all. Now we have a significant Government property we can put in the long-term market for a significant fee.

“It’s not a waste of money.”

It’s thought Clifton could fetch $25-30,000 a month in today’s inflated rental market. Clifton boasts four bedrooms, a dining room, study and office while it also has a two-bedroom apartment.

Last year it was revealed $1,582,753 of renovations had been done on Clifton after then Premier Alex Scott said it would be used by all Premiers.

However Maj. Dill said further minor repair work had just been done. Mr. Scott left in January after spending around four or five months at Clifton, at least two of which were after he had been removed from office. Last night Opposition Deputy Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: “They have spent more than $1.5 million of the taxpayer’s money on fixing it up for the Premier. “At least there is a recognition now they must get some income back into the public purse. It makes good commercial sense.”

But she said it had been asinine for Mr. Scott to try to impose his taste on all future Premiers and the merry-go-round of Premiers and official residences had cost the public dear.

“They fixed up the Laurels for Jennifer Smith but then Mr. Scott didn’t want it. Then they fixed up Clifton and then Ewart Brown didn’t want it.”

She said the $1.5 million could have been much better spent on providing emergency housing instead of creating a “wonderful mansion” for the Premier.

However Mr. Scott said national leaders the world over had official residences.

“It isn’t about the individual, it’s about the office.”

He said Government had spent $100,000 of the taxpayers money on upgrading Pamela Gordon’s house when she was Premier — money which was then lost to the public domain.

Mr. Scott said having an official residence meant the taxpayer got a return on the money invested.