New reports have claimed that the Prime Minister’s official airplane was used by civil servants for a “boozy jolly” costing £50,000.
Just as talk of the so-called ‘partygate’ was starting to wane, a fresh report by The Sun newspaper this morning has claimed that a number of civil servants and government officials hopped on board the Prime Minister’s official plane for a 700-mile “sightseeing” journey over the UK – which was said to have been around 91-minutes long and costing in the region of £50,000.
12 officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are said to have got on the Airbus A321 plane on Wednesday afternoon – which flight data has revealed took off from Stansted Airport at 1.30pm before heading north.
The RAF Voyager plane is shared between Boris Johnson and the Royal Family.
Its flight path reportedly included views of the Lake District and the spa town of Moffat on the Scottish Borders, before the plane turned around and headed back.
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Reports also claimed a “fancy meal with a selection of alcoholic drinks” were served to those on board.
Prime Minister’s official plane reportedly used for a ‘£50k boozy jolly’ over the UK / Credit: 10 Downing Street (via Flickr)
The excursion made by the civil servants and government officials has sparked a backlash after claims it was “effectively a jolly” by one insider – but a government spokesperson has since said the flight formed part of a “necessary maintenance procedure”.
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The jet needed to be used within 45 days for legal and operating purposes, the spokesperson said.
Responding to the claims made in the report, a spokesman from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told several news outlets including Sky News and the Daily Mirror: “In order to comply with Airbus and aviation industry rules the aircraft was legally bound to operate a maintenance flight before September 4 or face significant additional storage costs.”
Labour’s Shadow Trade Secretary Emily Thornberry also The Sun that if the claims turn out to be true, it would be “shameful beyond words”.
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“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,” Thornberry exclaimed.
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings
Daisy Jackson
The hunt is on to find a National Lottery player in Tameside who’s won £1m – and not claimed it.
The missing millionaire won the huge prize on a Lotto ticket bought on Wednesday 1 July, somewhere in the Borough of Tameside.
But with just two months to go until the prize expires, the player has still not come forward to claim their winnings.
The winning numbers in were 5, 8, 26, 33, 39, 42 and the Bonus Ball was 54.
Now, the National Lottery is renewing its search for the millionaire, calling for the mystery winner to cash in their prize before it expires at midnight on 28 December.
National Lottery Senior Winners’ Advisor Andy Carter has been out in Tameside ‘hunting’ for the missing millionaire, visiting everywhere from Portland Basin to Hartshead Pike.
Andy said: “I’ve searched high and low across Tameside for our missing millionaire, but I’ve had no luck.
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings. Credit: Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
“With just two months left to claim this £1 million prize, now is the time for anyone who bought a Lotto ticket in Tameside for the 1 July draw to have another look.
“The winning ticket could be tucked away somewhere completely ordinary, while its owner has absolutely no idea they are a millionaire.
“We’d love to find the person we’ve been looking for and turn this search into a celebration. So, if you bought a ticket in the area, dig it out, check those numbers and help us find Tameside’s missing millionaire. It could be you.”
With all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize if they have the winning ticket. Anyone who has any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected].
Featured image: Supplied – Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
News
Public urged to call the police if they see this wanted man
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a wanted man with links to Macclesfield and Alsager.
Joshua Wyatt, 34, is wanted on recall to prison, and officers are urging anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.
Wyatt is described as being 183cm (6ft) tall and of medium build, with a bald head and blue eyes.
Police believe he has links to both Macclesfield and Alsager.
Anyone who sees Wyatt or has information about where he may be is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information via the force’s website.
Information should be provided quoting reference number 26000809013.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2022 
