Sir Jeremy Heywood accused of 'muzzling' Cabinet ministers over airport expansion

Under fire: Sir Jeremy Heywood
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Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood was today accused of “muzzling” Cabinet ministers over airport expansion in the South-East.

Whitehall’s most senior civil servant came under fire after it was reported that he wrote to ministers warning them to be careful about what they said about building another runway at Heathrow or Gatwick.

The Government is due to announce by the end of this year which airport will be allowed to expand, with Heathrow seen as the clear frontrunner to be chosen.

But senior ministers are concerned that if they are perceived to have already made up their minds in favour of one of the airports then it could lead to legal action over the final decision.

Sir Jeremy wrote to Cabinet ministers before the Tory party conference in Manchester advising them to restrict what they say about airport expansion, according to the BBC.

But his warning sparked an angry response from opponents of a third runway at Heathrow.

“Cabinet ministers have been muzzled on this. I think it is disgraceful that they can’t speak up on behalf of their constituents,” said Hammersmith Labour MP Andy Slaughter. He added: “There is so much pressure coming from George Osborne and others within the Government to go for Heathrow. I think that they just want to bulldoze the proposal through.”

Lord True, Tory leader of Richmond council, was also critical of Sir Jeremy’s intervention.

Home Secretary Theresa May confirmed that ministers were avoiding public comment on the issue but defended the stance.

“This is an important decision and it is right that Cabinet ministers are not speaking about it publicly until the decision is taken,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“It is absolutely right that Cabinet ministers do not say anything that could prejudice the decision that is taken and lead to judicial review.”

Tory London mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith, a leading opponent of a third runway at Heathrow, did not mention airport expansion in his speech to the Tory conference.

But his aides strongly denied that he had been advised to keep quiet on the issue.

Bracknell MP Phillip Lee was this evening due to tell a Commons debate that Heathrow should expand but that local communities should be given far better noise insulation and other mitigation measures.

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