Government jet detours to Manchester to collect Burnham

A government aircraft flew from London Stansted to Manchester to collect Andy Burnham and his wife before continuing to a Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda, prompting questions about the cost of the detour. Downing Street defended the arrangements, citing security, operational requirements and value for money, but did not disclose a cost. The aircraft departed Stansted at about 6 a.m. on November 2 carrying officials but not Burnham. It reached Manchester roughly half an hour later, collected the prime minister and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, and waited about an hour before continuing via Canada for refuelling. Burnham arrived in Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Downing Street said the travel arrangements reflected where Burnham had conducted official business at the end of the previous week. He had spent Friday in Scotland and returned to Manchester to work from Number 10 North that evening, according to the government’s account. The prime minister’s spokesperson said travel costs would be published in the usual way but gave no amount or publication date. A £20,000 estimate for the Manchester stop was attributed to Guido...