PM could 'clash with senior Tories' over Heathrow Airport

The Prime Minister could clash with members of her cabinet if she backs a new runway at Heathrow Airport, a senior MP has warned.

Zac Goldsmith said that Theresa May will have to offer her party a free vote on the subject or give leave for cabinet members Boris Johnson and Justine Greening to be absent from the Commons.

Goldsmith, who failed in his bid to become London Mayor this year, said the Foreign Secretary and Education Secretary would not back expansion of Britain's largest airport under any circumstances.

The PM is expected to make a decision on whether to back a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick, or both, next week.

Zac Goldsmith said he would resign as MP if the Heathrow expansion gets the go-ahead. Credit: PA

The subject could prove awkward for the Prime Minister as Cabinet members are to uphold collective responsibility and help vote through government decisions.

Goldsmith, who failed in his bid for London Mayor this year, said he would resign as Richmond Park MP if Heathrow expansion gets the go-ahead.

Speaking to BBC Two's Newsnight, he said: "I can make a prediction that Boris under no circumstances will ever vote for Heathrow expansion, and nor would Justine Greening - both of them very senior, very valued members of the Cabinet.

"I speak to them both regularly, I spoke to Boris a couple of hours ago, and there is no wavering in his position and there is no wavering in Justine's position.

"They have big jobs to do, they may not be doing the media rounds, they probably won't be talking about Heathrow on Newsnight, but their positions remain absolutely unchanged."

May confirmed last week that the Government would "shortly announce" a decision on which expansion project will get the go-ahead.

The Davies Commission recommended in July last year that a third runway should be built at Heathrow.

Other shortlisted options are extending the airport's existing northern runway or building a second runway at Gatwick.

The decision has been repeatedly delayed due to its political sensitivity.

Greenpeace has described expansion of both Heathrow and Gatwick as "the worst of both worlds".