Theresa May is having to use a chartered jet to carry out Government business in the Middle East after the Prince of Wales borrowed her official aircraft for his tour of Europe.

Clarence House booked the Prime Minister’s RAF Voyager jet when it organised the Prince’s nine-day tour, and it has been flying, half empty, between European cities.

Meanwhile Mrs May has been using a Boeing 757 operated by the charter firm Air Partner for her three-day trip to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.