FOREIGN AID SCANDAL: Taxpayers give more than £300,000 to grow COCONUTS in South Pacific

The investment is part of the South Pacific International Coconut Gene bank. 

Conservative MP, Peter Bone, slammed the investment as a “waste of money”.

He said: “My constituents will think it is nuts.

“It brings the whole programme into disrepute.

“What we should be doing is trading with with these countries not giving them money in the first place.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is behind the foreign aid investment. 

Defra said: “Our overseas development funding is used to preserve natural resources and protect iconic species.

“This project will help preserve an essential food source for more than eight million families in Pacific islands from the impacts of pests and diseases.”

In 2016-7, DFID’S total spend was £10.44billion. 

It has recently been revealed that Venezuela receives £6 million in foreign aid from the UK, with £160,000 used to train violent police. 

Mr Bone said: “Why are we giving overseas aid money to an oil-rich state that is effectively a dictatorship? 

“It is completely barmy, and the Government should stop it immediately. 

“If some of the money is going to help the police and security services then that is even worse, considering the footage we have all seen in recent days.”