Ministers were thrown into panic over what to do if they won the first National Lottery draw. Sir John Major decided ministers should be seen buying tickets to publicise the launch of the prize in November 1994. But in lengthy correspondence, bemused MPs were then told the prime minister thought there would be 'presentational risks' if they went on to win the jackpot. Sir John Major decided ministers should be seen buying tickets to publicise the launch of the prize in November 1994. Instead he suggested they donate the tickets to charity – and left ministers to decide whether they should apply the same rules to family members.

Source: Daily Mail July 17, 2019 22:52 UTC