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The Treasury and Virgin Trains have rubbished claims that George Osborne attempted to board a first class train carriage with a standard ticket and demand a free upgrade.
Reports earlier suggested the Chancellor and his aide were involved in a dispute with a ticket inspector after asking for an upgrade to a first class ticket, and initially refusing to pay the required £160.
But the Treasury and Virgin have both released statements insisting there was no disagreement, and claiming Mr Osborne was happy to pay the extra fee.
"The situation was dealt with amicably between the Train Manager and George Osborne’s aide. At no time was there a disagreement or a refusal to pay for the upgrade," Virgin said.
A media scrum awaited the train's arrival in London, where the Chancellor refused to comment and was escorted out of a goods entrance amid chaotic scenes.
Labour's Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Michael Dugher said the incident was "another demonstration of how out of touch this Government is".
"Just like Andrew Mitchell, George Osborne obviously thinks it’s one rule for him and another for the plebs he’s so keen to sit apart from. So much for ‘we’re all in it together’," he said.
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