Tony Blair has been forced to come to the defence of his chief adviser on anti-social behaviour who mocked the government's campaign against binge-drinking in an expletive-laden after-dinner speech.

Louise Casey was under pressure to resign last night after a leaked recording of her comments revealed her boasting about getting "hammered" and joking that some Ministers might perform better if they "turn up in the morning pissed".
Ms Casey took a high profile with her appointment as director of the Home Office's anti-social behaviour unit three years ago.