The Chancellor did not do a Mitchell, but this little pr disaster could have been avoided:
Very interesting train journey to Euston Chancellor George Osborne just got on at Wilmslow with a STANDARD ticket and he has sat in FIRST
— Rachel Townsend (@RachTownsendITV) October 19, 2012
CLASS. His aide tells ticket collector he cannot possibly move and sit with the likes of us in standard class and requests he is allowed to
— Rachel Townsend (@RachTownsendITV) October 19, 2012
remain in First Class. Ticket collector refuses #standoff
— Rachel Townsend (@RachTownsendITV) October 19, 2012
£160 for First Class upgrade… aide says no!
— Rachel Townsend (@RachTownsendITV) October 19, 2012
@edsaunt I am a carriage away from the action but have asked ticket inspector if he was going to let him stay "no chance"
— Rachel Townsend (@RachTownsendITV) October 19, 2012
Breaking news: George Osborne pays £160 to stay in first class!
— Rachel Townsend (@RachTownsendITV) October 19, 2012
That better be out of his pocket given the very clear IPSA rules on MPs travel…