The NSW Police Minister admits she received a bottle of limited-edition gin controversially bought by the state’s top cop with taxpayer money.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb bought 50 bottles of Commissioner’s Gin, a custom-labelled spirit produced by a friend, shortly after her appointment to the role in 2022.

A day after saying the high-end bottles were gifts for visiting dignitaries, Police Minister Yasmin Catley conceded she’d received one after being sworn in.

It remained on the shelf in her office, she said.

“I haven’t tried it, I’m not a gin drinker,” Catley told parliament on Thursday.

The gin was bought in accordance with NSW Police policy. But Webb has been rapped over the knuckles by the police watchdog for failing to disclose her friendship with the supplier.

She said she did not know her office had approached her friend until after the 50 bottles had been ordered.

The Coalition and crossbenchers have doggedly pursued the matter in the NSW parliament, causing yet another headache for the government after a year of missteps by Webb.

On Wednesday night, she was forced to quash “completely false” claims made under parliamentary privilege that the bottles were bought for personal and staff use.

“I have always acted honestly and in the best interest of the NSW Police Force and the people of NSW,” she said, adding she had not tasted the gin.

Catley dismissed any suggestion high-priced alcohol bought by the force to hand out as gifts was a new venture.

“This is a long tradition of the commissioner’s office giving gifts,” she said.

“All of these gifts were purchased under the police minister at the time, [Coalition MP] Paul Toole.”

The NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission on Wednesday said it had investigated the matter over many months and was satisfied the purchase fitted with policies and procedures.

The watchdog said it had long intended to finalise the report by Tuesday and its release was not prompted by media coverage.

However, independent MP and prominent Webb critic Rod Roberts questioned how long she would remain in the role.

“I don’t know how long [Premier] Chris Minns can put up with this,” he told Sydney radio 2GB on Thursday.

“When does he lance this boil? This commissioner, unfortunately, bounces from one disaster to another.”

Webb came under fire recently for her handling of an alleged double murder involving a serving officer.

She was accused of taking too long to front the public after the officer was charged, deflecting media scrutiny to her deputy and using flippant language to describe the crimes.

Webb’s decision to part ways with four previous media heads in the space of two years also came under scrutiny, after it was revealed the changes led to almost $700,000 in termination payments.

– AAP