Boris Johnson vows to continue fighting Heathrow expansion after High Court rejects legal challenge
BORIS JOHNSON yesterday vowed to carry on fighting Heathrow expansion – after the High Court threw out a legal challenge.
The Tory leadership contender took on his own Government by blasting: “This judgement is not the end of the story.”
Just hours earlier, Chris Grayling had urged campaigners to lay down arms given a third runway was vital to “every corner of the United Kingdom”.
Two High Court judges said it was wrong to claim its supporting work was “unlawful”.
The legal challenge was tabled by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, eco protesters and councils.
Construction could now begin in 2021 – with the new runway operational five years later.
Mr Johnson had previously vowed to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop a third runway. As Foreign Secretary he jetted to Afghanistan to duck a Commons vote on the expansion.
Taking to Twitter yesterday he said: “A third runway in west London would cause a huge increase in traffic and pollution and above all noise.
“Heathrow have a long way to go before they can meet environmental standards demanded by law.”
Lord Justice Hickinbottom said the ruling was merely on the “legality” of the Government’s work – not the merits of expansion.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
And Friends of the Earth last night warned it planned to appeal the decision.
Craig Bennett, the charity’s chief exec, said: “Expanding Heathrow is wrong on every level and we can’t let it go.
“How can we take any government remotely seriously when they claim to care about climate chaos while supporting this runway?”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]