Millionaire who funded Stansted protest has Lush shops at airports

The tycoon bankrolling the anti-aviation activists who stormed Stansted owns shops in airports around the world, the Evening Standard can reveal.

Mark Constantine, the owner of Lush Cosmetics, was today accused of profiting from airline passengers while funding groups whose actions can severely disrupt their journeys.

Lush has contributed £20,000 to anti-aviation organisations including Plane Stupid, which masterminded the protest at Stansted by more than 50 activists that brought flights to a standstill for two hours on Monday. Lush has shops in airports in Tokyo, Toronto and Orlando in Florida. A branch at Heathrow shut in 2004 because it was an "unsuccessful retail location".

The website for Narita Airport, just outside Tokyo, says of its Lush shop: "Fresh handmade cosmetics store from the UK. The first store at an airport in Japan! Lip balms and moisturiser sprays are available to prevent dry skin during the flight."

The revelation prompted a backlash from the air industry and its supporters. A spokesman for BAA, which owns Stansted, said: "We have no gripe with Mr Constantine personally but if you are supporting anti-aviation groups and at the same time you are placing stores in airports around the world - that does suggest a mismatch of messages and is slightly hypocritical."

Labour MP Brian Donohoe, chairman of the all-party aviation group, said: "It seems hypocritical to fund groups that campaign against the expansion of airports while using the retail opportunities that come about through the use of those airports."

Lush had a turnover of £144million last year and has 600 shops worldwide. But Mr Constantine rejected accusations of hypocrisy today, saying: "Lush isn't against flying or airports per se. What we want to see is a proper governmental policy that will keep the massive expansion of aviation in check.

"Aviation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, and even if we closed every factory and switched off every light in the country, it wouldn't stop global warming if we continue flying as often as we do."

Plane Stupid receives funding from a number of sources including about £2,000 from Mr Constantine. The direct action group, which has pulled off a series of stunts in the past year including a rooftop protest at the Houses of Parliament, wants short haul flights banned and a curb on airport expansion.