Boris Johnson's imperial measures plan is not being used as a "patriotic distraction" from his leadership woes, a minister has claimed.
Business Minister Paul Scully said officials had been considering putting the crown stamp back on pint glasses for some time because it's "a nice thing to do".
The Government today launched a consultation hoping to pave the way for greater use of imperial measurements in post-Brexit Britain.
Its 12-week consultation will look at how to change those stipulations, giving traders more freedom to choose how they price fresh items.
But in the wake of Sue Gray's final report into lockdown-breaking parties first revealed by the Mirror, the Government have published a wraft of measures in an apparent bid to take attention away from the failings in senior leadership she severely criticised in her report.
The Whitehall enforcer said the PM must "bear responsibility" over the No10 gatherings, eight of which he attended.
Since those damning remarks, the Tories gave in to Labour's demands for a windfall tax, revealed plans for the return to imperial measures, confirmed when the first removal flight to Rwanda will take place and revealed plans to potentially launch Covid-style briefings about the economy as the cost of living crisis worsens.
Mr Scully today told Sky News: "It's something we've been looking at doing for some time. It's fitting we talk about the crown symbol on pint glasses. I think it's a nice thing to do."
He added: "The launch of a consultation will give people a choice. We've not been able to be able to sell in imperial measurements apart from some limited examples, this is something some will want to do."
The plans will also assist the Government in considering, for example, allowing vegetables to be sold in pounds only, or in pounds with a less prominent metric equivalent, according to the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The Mirror first revealed the plans last week, as Government insiders told us ministers were ready to make the announcement to coincide with celebrations for the monarch's 70 years on the throne.
Tory peer and supermarket boss Lord Rose of Monewden blasted the plans as “complete and utter nonsense” insisting it would “add cost” for those making the transition.
It is currently legal to price goods in pounds and ounces, but they have to be displayed alongside the price in grammes and kilogrammes, except in a limited number of cases.
Almost 30 Tory MPs
Speaking after the PM was fined for attending his own lockdown-busting party, Mr Scully acknowledged Mr Johnson had a lot of work cut out for him in building the public trust.
At the time, he said there was “an element of politics” about calls for the Prime Minister to resign.
“Nonetheless, the Prime Minister has gripped it, he has apologised, he’s accepted the fine, he has accepted the finding of the police and he does want to move on.
“Now that’s difficult because he has got to rebuild trust with people who are angry, who are frustrated, but that is the challenge that we have," he told BBC Breakfast in April.
