Virgin Atlantic apologises after stars’ travel details leaked to photo agency

A VIRGIN Atlantic employee has resigned amid allegations she passed flight details of eight stars to a paparazzi agency.

The airline is investigating claims the woman gave the information to London-based Big Pictures and said it would “deeply regret” any inconvenience to the celebrities involved.

They were reported to include Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole, his former wife and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, Tottenham Hotspur player Jermain Defoe, actresses Sienna Miller, Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow, and the singers Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger.

A Virgin spokeswoman said: “The allegations are extremely serious and we have launched an immediate investigation.

“The security of customer information is our highest priority and we have robust processes to ensure that information is protected. The alleged incident concerns eight customers’ flights booked in 2010. It is too early to draw conclusions but we would deeply regret any concern that these allegations may cause the individuals involved.”

A source at the airline Sir Richard Branson launched in 1984 said it was scanning through e-mail archives and investigating who could access its booking system.

The accused employee, who held a relatively junior position, denies the allegations, it is understood.

A spokeswoman for Defoe said: “This is a serious breach of privacy. We’ll be consulting with our lawyers.”

A spokeswoman for Miller, who got an injunction against the paparazzi in 2008, said she had no comment to make.