Budget airline Ryanair has been reprimanded for using adverts criticising Gordon Brown over air passenger tax.

Ryanair used photographs of the then-Chancellor in adverts complaining about the increased passenger tax rate.

Four press adverts resulted in 48 complaints from readers.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the airline had breached advertising rules relating to truthfulness in three of the four adverts.

Ryanair accused the watchdog of trying to "cover up" a "travel tax scam".

In response to two points on which it was found in breach of the advertising code, Ryanair said it would defy the ASA's ruling and continue to use them in future adverts.

A Ryanair spokesman said: "For as long as this travel tax scam continues, Ryanair will continue to use both of these factually accurate statements in its advertising."

"To highlight this scam, Ryanair is releasing five million seats for just £10 for travel between September and March - all passengers have to pay is Greedy Gordon's £10 travel tax scam."