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The Government has reportedly splashed out £12m on a luxury seven-bedroom New York penthouse for a senior civil servant charged with signing post-Brexit trade deals.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is said to have overseen the purchase of a 5,893 sq ft apartment in Manhattan for Antony Phillipson, the UK’s trade commissioner for North America and consul general in New York.

The apartment, called Penthouse 38, has a 73.6ft x 21.3ft living area, with a dining room, living room and library.

The building promises its residents ‘an extraordinary level of privacy, security and serenity’ and comes with a 24-hour gated security entrance and valet parking.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We have secured the best possible deal and value for money on a property that will help promote the UK in the commercial capital of our largest export market and trading partner.

"As well as being the consul general’s residence, it will also be used to support his work to help British businesses as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America. We are in the process of selling the consul general’s current residence."

The penthouse features five large ensuite bedrooms, and two rooms marked as 'staff bedroom' on the floorplan.

The master bedroom is about 6.6 times larger than the staff room at 42 square metres; and the en suite bathroom features a freestanding French marble bathtub, a separate shower and steam room overlooking the amazing New York skyline.

It is understood that the staff rooms will be removed and Phillipson will not have live-in-staff, reported the Guardian.

In 2015, the Qatari government bought four apartments in the building, which is known as 50 UNP by locals, for £34m.

Located next to the UN headquarters, Phillipson will be in prime position to encourage dignitaries from other countries to sign trade pacts with Britain in the event of Brexit .

Phillipson was serving as director of trade and partnerships in Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) until November 2017 when he moved to New York.

Architecture firm Foster + Partners who designed 50 UNP, said: "Every apartment is focused on the series of floor-to-ceiling bay windows and the interiors are luxurious, with generous space for entertaining.

"A spa in the basement incorporates a large exercise pool for residents, and the penthouse features an infinity pool, dramatically cut out from the top level of the building."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also splurging £55m on refurbishing the British embassy in Washington DC.

The project includes the 6,000 sq m Ambassador's Residence, the 2,000 sq m Old Chancery Building, and the 10,000 sq m New Chancery Building.