Andrew Tinkler has launched a campaign to remove the chief executive of Stobart Group, days after it began the first commercial flights from Carlisle airport in 26 years.

Mr Tinkler, who controls five per cent of the company, has created a website, Save Stobart Group, ahead of the firm's annual meeting on July 23.

It is understood he wants to unseat chief executive Warwick Brady and John Coombs, chairman of the remuneration committee.

The new row centres over a £30 million bonus package due to be paid to Mr Brady.

Mr Brady will receive £23million if he hits targets for Southend Airport in Essex and its valuation reaches £1.4billion. If it is sold for £2.1billion, he will receive £30million.

Mr Tinkler's website says: "When I decided to step down as CEO on June 29 2017, Stobart Group was a superbrand company – a powerhouse in UK infrastructure and support services.

"In the two years since Warwick Brady was appointed CEO, Stobart Group’s share price has declined by -65 per cent.

"Mr Brady, according to the 2019 annual report, stands to receive a bonus worth up to £30 million under the Stobart Aviation Incentive Plan.

"The full details of this were never placed before shareholders to vote on at last year’s AGM. "

The company has admitted that it did not tell shareholders about the bonus scheme.

The Mail on Sunday reported that Mr Tinkler has already found backing from influential shareholder advisory group Glass Lewis.

Stobart Group's annual report said the bonus was not consistent with is renumeration policy because it had not been put to a vote.

However, it declined to table a vote at this month's meeting. Mr Tinkler is increasing the pressure for a ballot and is urging shareholders to vote against the remuneration report.

At last year's annual meeting, Mr Tinkler and several shareholders, including fund manager Neil Woodford, failed in an attempt to remove chairman Iain Ferguson and replace him with Cumbrian billionaire Philip Day.

Mr Ferguson stepped down as chairman earlier this year and was replaced by David Shearer.

Last week, Mr Woodford sold off most of his 18 per cent stake in Stobart Group for £70 million.

The Mail on Sunday said Glass Lewis has backed the removal of Coombs and called for a vote against the remuneration report, but has advised investors to re-elect Brady as a director.

Last month, Mr Tinkler lost an appeal against his High Court defeat over his dismissal from the transport firm.

Stobart Group won a court case against the former chief executive in February.

The case found that he acted in breach of fiduciary duties in a number of ways, including speaking to investors, criticising management and pushing for the removal of the chairman.

Judge Russen QC found that Mr Tinkler's dismissal by Stobart was lawful and its resolution to re-elect Mr Ferguson as chairman at last year's annual general meeting was valid.

There will now be a further hearing in relation to damages.

Appeal Judge Flaux dismissed Mr Tinkler's appeal, saying that the proposed appeal had no real prospect of success.

The judge said that, in light of findings that the former boss had not acted in good faith and acted covertly in a way which was destabilising to the firm, the conclusion of the original court case was not only entirely justified but inevitable.

Mr Tinkler was ordered to pay 55 per cent of Stobart's legal costs from the battle, which are understood to be more than £1 million.

Stobart Group has been contacted for comment.