The Department of Health is paying more than £100,000 a year towards housing the American who heads its commercial directorate – on top of a salary of at least £185,000, a civil service pension, two business class flights a year to the US, a relocation package of up to £35,000 and eligibility for a bonus.

The package was yesterday described as “an eye-watering deal” by Stephen O’Brien, Conservative health spokesman, who asked whether it offered value for money for the taxpayer.