Boris Johnson’s jet has made its first flight after its controversial £900,000 “rebranding” in Union Jack colours.
The RAF Voyager, a previously-grey military plane, took off from Cambridge Airport with the new red, white and blue livery on its tail.
It also features the words “United Kingdom” painted in gold along the fuselage.
While some commentators described the new design as “stunning” and “splendid”, others claimed it could be mistaken for a British Airways plane.
Others on social media competed to rename the jet, along the lines of the US President’s “Air Force One”.
Suggestions included “Hair Force One”, “Air Farce One”, “Clown Force One” and “Borisjet”.
Downing Street said the paint job was designed to “promote the UK around the world” and was “in line with many other leaders’ planes”.
The jet is also shared with senior Cabinet members and the royal family.
However opposition MPs accused the prime minister of an an “utterly unacceptable use of public funds” which could have funded 180,000 doses of the new Covid-19 drug treatment dexamethasone.
Layla Moran, the Lib Dem education spokesman, said: “This is a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money. The same money could be spent providing an extra £15 school meals voucher to 60,000 children.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “At every stage we have worked to ensure value for money for the UK taxpayer and all of the work has been undertaken in the UK, directly benefiting British suppliers.”
