LATEST: Osborne forced to upgrade in train ticket furore (From Knutsford Guardian)

LATEST: Osborne forced to upgrade in train ticket furore

5:53pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By James Wilson

KNUTSFORD'S MP has been caught up in a 'ticket scandal' as he travelled back to London on a train on Friday afternoon.

Tatton MP George Osborne had been visiting his constituency and had been in Knutsford earlier today, Friday, before catching his return train to London Euston.

Mr Osborne had lunch at the newly-opened Old Sessions House in Canute Square before opening the new headquarters for Crawford Healthcare on King Edward Road. 

But Rachel Townsend, a reporter for Granada TV, was on his train and tweeted that the Chancellor had originally refused to pay for a first class ticket upgrade to his standard ticket despite sitting in the carriage.

Virgin Trains confirmed an aide to Mr Osborne initially refused to pay the £160 supplement and said the chancellor did not want to move into standard class.

But after being asking for a second time by the train manager, the aide agreed that the extra £160 would be paid.

When Mr Osborne arrived at Euston he was greeted by journalists but he did not comment when quizzed. 

What do you think about Mr Osborne's train journey home? Leave a comment below or email knutsford@guardiangrp.co.uk.