BBC boss spent £5,000 on trip to World Cup

The executive also used the visit to hold meetings with bodies such as Fifa, which invited him, as well as visiting news bureaux in the region, the BBC said.

The 4,878.57 cost of the business-class fare is revealed in a new batch of expense claims by senior figures which were published yesterday.

Mr Byford, whose flight was booked last December, took a further return flight to Nairobi in Kenya during his visit which cost 582.50.

The claims also show the BBC's chief operating officer Caroline Thomson claimed 3,389.69 on taxis during a three-month period for the first quarter of this year. The figure is the equivalent of just over 23 licence fees, which currently cost 145.50 annually for a colour TV.

BBC controller of vision Jana Bennett claimed 2,736.02 on taxis during the claim period.

And the BBC's director of future media and technology Erik Huggers made taxi claims for 2,940.98.

Explaining Mr Byford's trip, a BBC spokesman said: "Mark Byford was invited to the World Cup Final by Fifa as part of his responsibilities, which include BBC Sport.

"During his stay, he had meetings with various organisations including Fifa, as well as visiting the news bureaux in South Africa and Nairobi. During his visit he stayed in accommodation that was already being used by BBC Sport for the World Cup and not in a hotel.

"In line with BBC policy, he travelled business class as he was going straight into a series of meetings."

The total taxi bill for Mr Huggers, Ms Thomson and and Ms Bennett came to more than 9,000. Between them they spent an average of more than 100 a day on cabs during the first three months of the year.

A BBC spokesman said: "Taxis are used when they are the most efficient option and allow executives the opportunity to work en route."

The latest round of expenses come at a time when the BBC has been reviewing its strategy and making efficiency drives.

Earlier this month, BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons said "tough choices" were ahead and the BBC could not take it for granted that viewers would be willing to pay more each year.