Criticism from union comes after work experience at publisher Conde Nast was reportedly auctioned for £4000 at the Conservatives' Black and White Party fundraiser
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The alleged sale of a fortnight's work experience at Tatler magazine to raise funds for the Conservative party has been branded "disgusting" by the National Union of Journalists today.
The placement was reportedly auctioned for £4,000 at the Conservatives' Black and White Party earlier this month. According to a Mail on Sunday report, other lots at the event included a week's placement at PR company Bell Pottinger, which went for £2,000.
"Internships should be open to all not the preserve of a wealthy few and the fact that they are being auctioned to raise funds for a political party is obscene," the NUJ's deputy general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said in a release today.
"Such a disgusting practice simply perpetuates privilege and inequality. Is this what is meant by the Big Society – only the wealthy need apply?"
The Conservative Party, Tatler and the magazine's publisher Conde Nast all declined to comment.
According to a report by the Times a year ago yesterday, another Tory party fundraising evening in 2010 also offered up work experience at Conde Nast, with bids reportedly reaching £3,700.
In April last year a week's placement with Vogue magazine was auctioned, while in May 2009 the Huffington Post offered bidders at a charity auction a chance to "jumpstart their career in the blogosphere" with an internship.
