Minister quits in protest over third Heathrow runway
...while Boris will leave country for crucial vote
INTERNATIONAL trade minister Greg Hands quit yesterday to vote against controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
His resignation put pressure on Boris Johnson and other airport rebels to follow suit.
The move follows Theresa May’s decision to impose a three-line whip on the vote, meaning ministers must resign if they wish to oppose it.
Sources said Mr Hands, the Tory MP for Chelsea and Fulham, was offered the opportunity to skip the Commons debate by arranging an overseas trip.
But he insisted he had to honour pledges made in election leaflets last year in which he vowed to fight the plans.
By contrast, Mr Johnson will fly out of the country, avoiding the need to resign.
The Foreign Secretary is a long- standing opponent of Heathrow’s expansion and said in 2015 he would ‘lie in front of bulldozers’ to prevent the construction work.
However, Foreign Office sources confirmed he would be travelling to an unspecified destination on Monday evening as MPs hold the final vote on the £14billion scheme.
Mr Hands put out a statement on social media yesterday, stating: ‘Greg has been a longstanding and active campaigner against Heathrow and, like Boris Johnson, is opposed to the recent decision to go ahead with a third runway. Greg will be voting against the proposal when it comes before parliament.’
Some Tories warned that his decision would embarrass Mr Johnson. One said: ‘Boris may not be lying down in front of a bulldozer, but he’s lied in a different way. Greg has put him in a very difficult position.
‘ He looks worse than a chicken. The message he’s sending out is that you can’t rely on a word he says. It is very damaging for him.’
Mrs May appeared to mock her Foreign Secretary yesterday by claiming he would be the ‘embodiment of Global Britain’ during the vote.
The PM said: ‘The Government is absolutely committed to increasing airport capacity. This is important, it is part of our future as Global Britain.
‘The Foreign Secretary early next week will be the living embodiment of Global Britain. He will be out there showing the UK’s continued presence around the world.’
Last night, the PM appointed her parliamentary private secretary, George Hollingbery, to replace Mr Hands.
But former education secretary Justine Greening said the departure of Mr Hands proved Mrs May should have allowed Tory MPs a free vote. She added: ‘It’s wrong that Greg Hands had to resign for being consistent in representing local community concerns on Heathrow. The Government unnecessarily lost a great minister when instead we could have had a free vote.’
Foreign Office sources said Mr Johnson would be on important Government business on Monday, but his destination could not be reported for security reasons.
His opponents said he appeared to have been given a special pass to miss the vote.
Former Labour Cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw said: ‘There’s one rule for Boris Johnson on Heathrow and another for junior minister Greg Hands. It stinks.’ But
‘Can’t rely on a word he says’ ‘Where will you be on Monday?’
Labour is split over the issue. The party said this week that the proposals for a third runway failed its four tests on issues such as the environment and economic benefit.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is opposed to expansion, but dozens of Labour MPs support the project, as does Labour’s biggest donor, the Unite union.
The split has led Jeremy Corbyn to allow a free vote, meaning expansion is almost certain to be approved.
In 2015, Mr Johnson told Mr McDonnell: ‘I will lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the construction of that third runway.’
Last night, Mr McDonnell challenged Mr Johnson, writing on social media: ‘I was in the room when you said you’d lie down in front of bulldozers. Where will you be on Monday when I vote against Heathrow expansion?’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said yesterday he would join legal action against the runway if Parliament approves it.