No 10 Defends Prime Minister Flight to Caribbean Detouring Via Manchester
Downing Street has defended a government-chartered flight taking Prime Minister Andy Burnham to a Commonwealth summit in the Caribbean after it made a detour via Manchester to collect him and his wife. The decision drew accusations of hypocrisy from critics who pointed to past Labour criticisms of former prime minister Rishi Sunak regarding private plane and helicopter travel.
Key points
- A government-chartered plane en route to the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Antigua and Barbuda stopped in Manchester to collect Andy Burnham and his wife.
- Downing Street stated that travel decisions are made on security and operational grounds and that travel costs will be published in the usual way.
- Critics and shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood accused the government of hypocrisy regarding private jet use.
What Happened
A government-chartered plane leased for prime ministerial travel departed from Stansted airport outside London at about 6am on Monday en route to Antigua and Barbuda for a Commonwealth summit, according to Downing Street (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2). Rather than flying directly from London, the flight made a stop-off in Manchester to collect Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2).
Who Said What
Asked why the travel logistics were arranged this way and regarding the cost, Burnham's official spokesperson stated that travel decisions are made on security and operational grounds, adding that costs are transparent and will be published in the usual way (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2). The spokesperson noted that Burnham had been working from No 10 North in Manchester on Friday and spends weekends in the city where his family home is located (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2).
Critics decried the arrangement, earning the prime minister accusations of hypocrisy over private travel (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2). Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood stated on Monday that Labour promised a crackdown on private jet use, asserting that it appears to be one rule for him and another for everyone else (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2).
Context
The controversy follows previous Labour criticisms of former prime minister Rishi Sunak regarding his use of private planes and helicopters for domestic travel (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2). When Labour took office, the government cancelled a helicopter contract as part of an effort to undo previous Conservative administration practices (f298e3a5-fb4d-40f5-9d10-bb9f770ba3b2).
Why it matters
Downing Street defended a prime ministerial flight detour via Manchester on security and operational grounds, while critics accused the government of hypocrisy over private travel.
What we know
- A government-chartered plane took off from Stansted airport on Monday morning en route to Antigua and Barbuda for a Commonwealth summit.
- The aircraft made a stop in Manchester to collect Andy Burnham and his wife before continuing its journey.
- Downing Street stated that travel decisions are made on security and operational grounds and costs will be published.
- Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood criticized the arrangement regarding private jet use.
What remains unclear
- Whether the travel arrangement represents better or worse value for money compared to traveling via London.
- The exact financial cost of adding the Manchester stop to the itinerary.
How the story developed
No 10 defends flight to Caribbean going via Manchester
Downing Street defends a government-chartered plane detour to collect Andy Burnham.
Original source
