The artistic director of English National Ballet has been accused of hypocrisy after embarking on a relationship with a lead dancer - after banning ballerinas from having flings with co-stars.

Tamara Rojo, 43, is in an 18-month long relationship with boyfriend Isaac Hernandez, 27, who is her subordinate and a senior dancer at the company.

But she has come under fire after she allegedly told ball master, Jose Martin, that he could not remain with the company and be in a relationship with dancer, Kerry Birkett.

Mr Martin and Ms Birkett left the publicly funded company in 2013 and got married.

Younger man: Tamara Rojo, 43, the artistic director of the English National Ballet, is dating Isaac Hernandez, 27, who is her subordinate and a senior dancer at the company

Claims: Ms Rojo also dismissed reports that their relationship has caused friction with other performers and had led to resignations from the ENB. Pictured, Rojo and Hernandez

A source told The Times that they had heard Ms Rojo say in reference to Mr Martin that she considered it 'unprofessional' for artistic staff to be in a relationship with a dancer.

Another source told the newspaper there was a perception of double standards. They said: 'That was definitely something I witnessed — she tells you an expectation or gives you a rule, but then her own people are just breaking them.'

Employees said they also felt uncomfortable about Ms Rojo's relationship with Mr Hernández because of a perceived conflict of interest, but the couple denied this.

Last week, Ms Rojo, who was born in Canada to Spanish parents dismissed reports that their relationship has caused friction with other performers and had led to resignations from the ENB.

Opening up about her relationship to the Evening Standard, Ms Rojo said the 'age gap doesn't seem to be there', adding she would 'highly recommend' dating someone younger. She said: 'He makes me feel lucky. He's amazing.'

She also refused to dismiss the possibility of marriage - or having children, but joked: 'I think I have left it a bit late for 11.'

Ballet star: Swan Lake with Tamara Rojo and Matthew Golding at Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford. Rojo has spoken of her desire to stamp out eating disorders in the industry

The Jimmy Choo-loving dancer has played to great acclaim all the leading roles in ballet including those of Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia and Romeo and Juliet - and has been frequently compared to Dame Margot Fonteyn.

Critically acclaimed Ms Rojo, who became artistic director in 2012 and also previously enjoyed a relationship with fellow dancer Daniel Jones, has been universally praised for changes she has made at ENB.

But current and former employees told The Times last month that they feel uncomfortable with her romantic relationship with Mr Hernandez.

Some claimed the relationship could be a conflict of interest.

Outspoken: The glamorous former dancer (pictured at the South Bank Show Awards in 2010) has previously compared ballet to 'porn'

Rojo (pictured with co-star Carlos Acosta in Romeo & Juliet) this week dismissed reports that her relationship with Hernandez has caused friction with other performers

Their relationship 'changed the dynamics of the company — and not for the better,' one source said. 'That was one of the reasons several people left.'

Several other people also confirmed that this was a factor in their decisions to resign.

However Ms Rojo dismissed the claims, saying there was no way for her to show favouritism by promoting Mr Hernandez as 'he has won all the awards you can possibly win'. She also pointed out that she 'doesn't deal with contacts'.

Rojo, a Spaniard, has been described as ‘the greatest dance actress of her generation’ by the New York Times, while Hernandez was a childhood prodigy in Mexico whose brilliance has seen him lauded around the world

Happy: The artistic director, pictured on stage with Hernandez, said she felt 'lucky' to be dating the 'amazing' dancer and would recommend an age-gap relationship

In a statement, ENB said that it had worked with Ms Rojo to 'implement improvements' for dancers and employees.

It read: 'Recently these have included significantly increased medical provisions, such as access to sports scientists and psychologists, nutritionists and ice bath facilities; clearer and more generous reporting lines for dancers and more training for their managers.

'We take the safety and wellbeing of our dancers and everyone who works with us extremely seriously. We are committed to providing a safe environment, free of harassment and bullying of any sort, and respond to any specific concerns that are raised.'