Cabinet reshuffle: David Cameron won’t approve third Heathrow runway plans

THE HEATHROW airport row escalated further today, as London Mayor Boris Johnson called on the Prime Minister to rule out a third runway beyond the next general election.

Following the removal of Justine Greening as Transport Secretary in yesterday’s reshuffle, Mr Johnson said it was time for the Prime Minister to “end the anxiety” over the airport by making clear that the Government’s pledge not to approve a third runway would not be ditched after the 2015 poll.

New Conservative chairman Grant Shapps insisted that there remained an “absolute guarantee” of no expansion at Heathrow during this Parliament, but Tory MP and environmental campaigner Zac Goldsmith said that Ms Greening’s move made clear that the Government was “opening the door” to the possibility of a third runway.

However, the Prime Minister confirmed earlier today that he will be keeping to his manifesto pledge not to approve plans for a third runway at the London airport.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg dismissed talk of a rightwards shift in the reshuffle, insisting the coalition Government “remains anchored in the centre ground”.

Speaking before the first meeting of the new Cabinet later today, Mr Clegg said: “Right from day one this Government was anchored in the centre ground. We’ve got a coalition agreement which is there, which is a tablet of stone setting out what we are going to do. That is not going to change.”