Energy minister chartered his own private aircraft from London to Aberdeen, despite numerous scheduled services

‘The energy minister Matthew Hancock became embroiled in a row yesterday after chartering a private aircraft from Aberdeen to London despite there being numerous scheduled services that day.

Mr Hancock was forced to deny reports that he took the chartered flight with just two Foreign Office diplomats on March 5 after signing a series of agreements with the Mexican president to stimulate investment in the North Sea and to work together on “sustainable and low-carbon development”.

A spokesman for the minister conceded that Mr Hancock did take a chartered flight, but insisted that the aircraft was full.’

Read more: Energy minister chartered his own private aircraft from London to Aberdeen, despite numerous scheduled services