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Zac Goldsmith quits as MP over Heathrow decision Zac Goldsmith quits as MP over Heathrow decision
(35 minutes later)
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has resigned, forcing a by-election in his constituency in a protest against the government's backing for a new runway at Heathrow Airport.Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has resigned, forcing a by-election in his constituency in a protest against the government's backing for a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
The Richmond Park MP and ex-London mayoral candidate has long campaigned against such an expansion. He will run as an independent and Conservative sources said the party would not field a candidate.
Mr Goldsmith, who called the Heathrow decision "catastrophic", is expected to run as an independent candidate. The Richmond Park MP and former London mayoral candidate has long campaigned against expanding Heathrow.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has ruled out any Heathrow rethink. But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has ruled out any rethink.
The Department for Transport says a new runway will benefit passengers and boost the wider economy by up to £61bn, creating as many as 77,000 local jobs over the next 14 years.
The Treasury confirmed the formal process by which an MP steps down had been triggered, with the Richmond Park by-election thought likely to take place in December.The Treasury confirmed the formal process by which an MP steps down had been triggered, with the Richmond Park by-election thought likely to take place in December.
Mr Goldsmith is to take part at a meeting in his constituency, where he is expected to outline his plans. Mr Goldsmith said the contest would be a "chance to send a message to government".
Speaking in the House of Commons after Mr Grayling announced the Heathrow plans, Mr Goldsmith said: "The government has chosen a course that is not only wrong; it's doomed. He said: "I promised you if my party won the election, the third runway would be scrapped. And I wasn't making it up."
"It is wrong because of the million people who will directly suffer on the back of the environmental harm this project unavoidably produces, and doomed because the complexities, the cost, the legal complications mean that this project is almost certainly not going to be delivered." He added: "There was no small print, no expiry date, no ambiguity. It was a simple promise. And it mattered. I know it mattered, because the thought of Heathrow expansion fills most of my constituents with dread."
He predicted Heathrow would be a "millstone around this government's neck for many many years to come". Mr Goldsmith said the government had chosen the "most polluting, most disruptive, most expensive option" but it was "also chosen the option with the least chance of being delivered".
But Mr Grayling told the House of Commons: "The prime minister has been very clear that she does not want to force - and indeed I don't think the public would expect us to force - MPs with long-standing principles of disagreement over this to go against their own views." He added: "The sheer complexity, cost and legal difficulties mean it is unlikely ever to happen. It will be a millstone round this government's neck for years."
Earlier Mr Grayling told the House of Commons: "The prime minister has been very clear that she does not want to force - and indeed I don't think the public would expect us to force - MPs with long-standing principles of disagreement over this to go against their own views."
Mr Goldsmith held his south-west London seat in 2015 with a 23,015 majority. The Liberal Democrats, who held the seat until 2010, finished second.Mr Goldsmith held his south-west London seat in 2015 with a 23,015 majority. The Liberal Democrats, who held the seat until 2010, finished second.