Prince Andrew rapped for blowing £6k to jet to golf tournament

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has been slammed for spending 6000 pounds of taxpayers money to fly to a golf tournament.

London, July 25 : Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has been slammed for spending 6000 pounds of taxpayers' money to fly to a golf tournament.

The Prince, nicknamed Air Miles Andy for his frequent flying, travelled on the Queen's Flight jet to and from Scotland to attend the British Open golf championship.

The HS 125 twin-engine jet, which can carry up to seven passengers, is supposed to be used only by royals and senior ministers on very important business.

The 47-year-old started out from RAF Northolt in Middlesex, on Friday and after watching the tournament at Carnoustie golf course he returned on Saturday night from RAF Leuchars, near Dundee.

The duke's spokesman said that Andrew was on official business, standing in for Royal and Ancient Golf Club captain Michael Lunt, who died in May.

The spokesman added that Andrew shared the outward flight with his sister Princess Anne, who was also on an official appointment.

But Andrew's use of the 1,000 pounds-an-hour service infuriated MPs and campaigners.

"It's another example of extravagant behaviour by junior royals," The Sun quoted Labour's Ian Davidson, of the Public Accounts Committee, as saying.

Graham Smith, of anti-royal pressure group Republic, characterized the flights "scandalous" and expressed his anger by saying, "he is sticking two fingers up at hard-working taxpayers."

In February the prince came under criticism for taking a private jet home from a global warming conference, and taking an alternative route to go skiing.

Last year, he flew 17 miles by helicopter to the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire.

ANI