Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been accused of treating a Government jet like an "Uber" after the official plane was diverted to collect him and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, from Manchester. The aircraft had already departed from London Stansted at approximately 6 a.m. on its way to Antigua for a Commonwealth summit.
The plane reportedly waited in Manchester for about an hour before continuing its journey, which included a refueling stop in Canada. The diversion has drawn criticism from the Conservative Party, who estimate the detour could have cost taxpayers an additional £20,000.
Tory frontbencher Neil O'Brien stated, "YOU have to pay through the nose for energy and fuel to pursue their Net Zero obsession. LABOUR get to waste taxpayers' money and jet fuel so they can posture." He added, "He lectures and imposes massive green taxes on the rest of us but then uses a massive jet as the world's most expensive Uber."
Downing Street defended the travel arrangements, asserting that they were made based on security, operational requirements, and value for money. A spokesperson explained that the arrangements reflected the Prime Minister's official government business at the end of the previous week, which included travel to Scotland and work from "No10 North" in Manchester. The cost of the travel will be published in the usual manner, they added.
Burnham has been a proponent of devolution and has established a "No10 North" base, spending part of his week there and holding meetings in the area.