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Heathrow third runway: civil service chief 'warned ministers not to comment' Heathrow third runway: civil service chief 'warned ministers not to comment'
(about 1 hour later)
Britain’s most senior civil servant has warned ministers not to speak out publicly over proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow, it has been reported. Britain’s most senior civil servant warned ministers not to speak out publicly over proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow before the Conservative party conference, it has been reported.
Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, wrote to ministers in the runup to the party conference season to caution them about commenting in public on the issue, according to the BBC.Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, wrote to ministers in the runup to the party conference season to caution them about commenting in public on the issue, according to the BBC.
In his email, Heywood is said to have told them that while they could repeat statements made before the Airports Commission issued its final report in July, they should refrain from further comment.In his email, Heywood is said to have told them that while they could repeat statements made before the Airports Commission issued its final report in July, they should refrain from further comment.
His intervention would appear to reflect concerns that remarks by ministers could make the final decision vulnerable to legal challenge. His intervention would appear to reflect concerns that remarks by ministers could make the final decision vulnerable to a legal challenge.
However, it is reported to have been received with deep irritation by some ministers. Theresa May would not comment on the leak, but told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday that the story was a “mountain out of a molehill”.
The commission’s report – recommending the construction of a third runway – is highly controversial, with a number of ministers strongly opposed to the plan, as is the mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The home secretary said it was correct that ministers should not be interfering in the decision on a third runway at Heathrow by making public comments.
Related: Heathrow's two runways – how do other airports compare?
“I think the important thing here is I think it is absolutely right … that cabinet ministers are not commenting on this, precisely because when the decision is taken we want to make sure it’s not subject to judicial review.”
The commission’s report – recommending the construction of a third runway – is highly controversial, with a number of ministers such as development secretary Justine Greening strongly opposed to the plan, as is the mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
Johnson, who is an MP but not a minister, did not refrain from commenting on Heathrow. He used his speech at the Conservative party conference to say: “If we are going to build new airport capacity, let’s not bodge it with one runway in the wrong place in a short-termist and environmentally disastrous solution.”
The government has said that it will deliver its formal response to the commission before Christmas.The government has said that it will deliver its formal response to the commission before Christmas.