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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Labour MP calls for Heathrow to be closed during strike | Labour MP calls for Heathrow to be closed during strike |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Heathrow airport should be closed on Wednesday on safety grounds, local Labour MP John McDonnell has said. | Heathrow airport should be closed on Wednesday on safety grounds, local Labour MP John McDonnell has said. |
| He said security would be in the hands of workers "untrained in airport security" as the Home Office brought in alternative staff to keep borders open during the pension strike | He said security would be in the hands of workers "untrained in airport security" as the Home Office brought in alternative staff to keep borders open during the pension strike |
| Meanwhile Somerset's 40 Commando have been "stood down" from any strike-related duties, the BBC understands. | Meanwhile Somerset's 40 Commando have been "stood down" from any strike-related duties, the BBC understands. |
| The UK Border Agency said it was exploring options to reduce disruption. | The UK Border Agency said it was exploring options to reduce disruption. |
| John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington - whose constituency includes Heathrow - said it was clear large numbers of staff at Heathrow would be joining the strike. | John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington - whose constituency includes Heathrow - said it was clear large numbers of staff at Heathrow would be joining the strike. |
| Although attempts had been made to bring in people from elsewhere, it still meant that safety and security would be "in the hands of workers who are untrained in airport security or at most have had an inadequate couple of days training," Mr McDonnell said. | Although attempts had been made to bring in people from elsewhere, it still meant that safety and security would be "in the hands of workers who are untrained in airport security or at most have had an inadequate couple of days training," Mr McDonnell said. |
| He said: "There are clearly significant worries that safety will be compromised by both the massive passenger congestion and the lack of staff capable of undertaking proper security vetting. | He said: "There are clearly significant worries that safety will be compromised by both the massive passenger congestion and the lack of staff capable of undertaking proper security vetting. |
| "I believe that if the government cannot settle this dispute in the next 24 hours the airport should be closed to ensure the safety and security of all those travelling and working at Heathrow." | "I believe that if the government cannot settle this dispute in the next 24 hours the airport should be closed to ensure the safety and security of all those travelling and working at Heathrow." |
| Earlier the BBC reported that marines from Somerset's 40 Commando were on standby to work at Heathrow during the strike. They have now been stood down. | Earlier the BBC reported that marines from Somerset's 40 Commando were on standby to work at Heathrow during the strike. They have now been stood down. |
| 'Gridlock' | 'Gridlock' |
| A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "The security of the UK border remains our top priority and it is absolutely right we explore all options to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by planned union action." | A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "The security of the UK border remains our top priority and it is absolutely right we explore all options to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by planned union action." |
| Heathrow operator BAA has warned of possible "gridlock" on Wednesday and said passengers could face potential 12-hour delays getting through immigration at the London airport. | Heathrow operator BAA has warned of possible "gridlock" on Wednesday and said passengers could face potential 12-hour delays getting through immigration at the London airport. |
| Heathrow has asked airlines to halve the number of passengers they fly into the airport on Wednesday to try to minimise any disruption caused by the strike. | |
| In a letter sent last week to airlines operating into Heathrow, chief operating officer Norman Boivin said: "The delays at immigration are likely to be so long that passengers could not be safely accommodated within the terminals and would need to be held on arriving aircraft. | In a letter sent last week to airlines operating into Heathrow, chief operating officer Norman Boivin said: "The delays at immigration are likely to be so long that passengers could not be safely accommodated within the terminals and would need to be held on arriving aircraft. |
| "This in turn would quickly create gridlock at the airport with no available aircraft parking stands, mass cancellations or departing aircraft and diversions outside the UK for arriving aircraft." | "This in turn would quickly create gridlock at the airport with no available aircraft parking stands, mass cancellations or departing aircraft and diversions outside the UK for arriving aircraft." |
| The warning from Heathrow, which handles more international passengers than any other airport, came after immigration staff voted to join the strike by public sector workers. | The warning from Heathrow, which handles more international passengers than any other airport, came after immigration staff voted to join the strike by public sector workers. |
| Strikes are being held over changes to public sector pensions and thousands of border agency workers are expected to be among up to two million who could walk out. | Strikes are being held over changes to public sector pensions and thousands of border agency workers are expected to be among up to two million who could walk out. |
| Lucy Morton, deputy general secretary of the Immigration Services Union, said she regretted its members were striking. | Lucy Morton, deputy general secretary of the Immigration Services Union, said she regretted its members were striking. |
| She said: "Nobody wants the public caught up in this, least of all this union. This is not something that we have done lightly." | She said: "Nobody wants the public caught up in this, least of all this union. This is not something that we have done lightly." |
| She said the union members had been left "feeling there is nowhere else to go" and this was the only way "to make government listen to the people on the front line". | She said the union members had been left "feeling there is nowhere else to go" and this was the only way "to make government listen to the people on the front line". |
| The Immigration Services Union had never before taken industrial action she said. | The Immigration Services Union had never before taken industrial action she said. |
| Disruption at the UK's largest airport is expected to be particularly severe because nearly 100 long-haul services are due to arrive before 09:00 GMT on the day of the strike. | Disruption at the UK's largest airport is expected to be particularly severe because nearly 100 long-haul services are due to arrive before 09:00 GMT on the day of the strike. |