No10 defends flight to Manchester to collect Andy Burnham

The trip sparked a backlash with some questioning the value for money, but No 10 says security, cost and "operational requirements" were all factored in.

Critics decry ‘Air Miles Andy’ after plane that took off from Stansted diverted to collect prime minister and wife A government-chartered plane taking Andy Burnham to a Commonwealth summit in the Caribbean made a stop-off in Manchester to collect him, Downing Street has said.…