Hands quits on Heathrow

THERESA May yesterday lost a minister as Greg Hands quit in protest at plans to expand Heathrow.

The International Trade Minister stepped down ahead of a key Commons vote on Monday over the third runway.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who once pledged to lie down in front of bulldozers, is being spared the dilemma between his job and his anti-Heathrow runway stance. He will be abroad for the vote but sources refused to say where on security grounds.

Mr Hands said he was quitting because the Government would not be giving Tory MPs a free vote, meaning ministers cannot continue if they defy the whip. Opposition MPs said the decision puts pressure on Mr Johnson and other anti-runway ministers. LEGISLATION that provides for those convicted of upskirting to face up to two years in prison, with the most serious put on the Sex Offenders’ Register, has been introduced by the Government.

It follows a year-long campaign by Gina Martin, 26, after police declined to prosecute a man she accused of taking a photo up her skirt at a music festival in London.

The new law, amending the Sexual Offences Act, will cover England and Wales.

Upskirting is already a crime in Scotland, where there were 14 convictions between 2012 and 2017.

Theresa May said last night: “The Government’s action sends a clear message that this behaviour will never be tolerated.”