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A spokesperson for Virgin Trains said one of Mr Osborne’s aides had a discussion with the train manager and the fee was eventually paid after the chancellor was caught sitting in a first class carriage with the wrong ticket on Friday.

Chancellor George Osborne was caught travelling in first class with a standard ticket (Pic: AFP)
ITV reporter Rachel Townsend, who was travelling on the same train to London, said: 'George Osborne got on the train with aides at Wilmslow and went straight to first class. Then his aide approached the ticket collector right next to me.
‘He said he is travelling with George and he has a standard ticket but can he remain in first class?
'The guard said no. The aide said Osborne couldn't possibly sit in standard class. The guard replied saying if he wants to stay it's £160.
'The aide said he couldn't pay and he couldn't really sit in standard. The guard refused to budge.
'The guard went on gathering tickets and later told me Osborne had agreed to cough up the £160.'
Mr Osborne has yet to comment on the incident.