Prime Minister Boris Johnson
(Picture: PA Wire)Civil servants used the Prime Minister’s official jet for a “boozy” 91-minute trip, it has been reported.
Several Foreign Office officials were on board for the 700-mile journey that departed from Stanstead to the Lake District before returning.
Passengers on the Airbus A321 were treated to a “fancy meal with a selection of alcoholic drinks” during the £50,000 trip, according to The Sun.
It has been claimed that the trip was necessary in order to ensure the aircraft met “ministerial requirements” following a “recent reconfiguration”.
Emily Thornberry, the shadow trade secretary for Labour, called the behaviour “shameful beyond words”.
"This would be utterly disgraceful behaviour at the best of times, but in the middle of our country’s current crisis, it is shameful beyond words,” she told the paper.
A government spokesperson said: “In order to comply with Airbus and aviation industry rules, the aircraft was legally bound to operate a maintenance flight before 4 September or face significant additional storage costs”.
The Foreign Office confirmed there was alcohol on board but refused to say if it was consumed.
A source, who told the paper the trip would have cost around £50,000, added: "Why did so many officials have to go on an apparent maintenance trip?
"It’s certainly questionable. This could well have cost around £50,000 when you take into account fuel and crew costs, ground handling fees, plus departure and arrival fees. It certainly leaves a bad taste in your mouth."
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, added: "Taxpayers will wonder why pen-pushers had the privilege of taking a government jet out for a spin.”
