A jet owned by former Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley made more than 90 flights around the world as taxpayers forked out tens of millions to pay his Sports Direct staff wages.
The Newcastle United owner’s Dassault Falcon 7X clocked up 145,000 miles in 12 months, landing at 34 destinations in 15 countries since June 1 last year.
That included trips to the Maldives, Dubai, Portugal, Miami and Orlando in Florida, Crete, Mykonos and Zakynthos in Greece, plus Majorca and Ibiza.
Essential business travel has been allowed during the pandemic.
The £38million aircraft, which its manufacturer says “handles like a fighter jet” and travels near the speed of sound, also made multiple trips to and from London Luton airport even after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a third lockdown from January 6.
Government data has revealed that Sports Direct was handed more than £5million a month this January and February to pay staff wages, with further sums given to workers in other parts of his retail empire to keep the business going.
It is unclear which of the 90 flights Ashley or his business associates were aboard, if any.
It is understood he visited the Maldives in December then relocated to Dubai, where he ran his business, before heading to Miami to have meetings relating to his company.
A spokesman for Ashley said: “We have no comment save that all appropriate business and personal policies, procedures and protocols have been followed and will continue to be followed.”
