PM branded 'gutless' after delaying Heathrow decision

Further analysis of the environmental impact of airport expansion is needed before a final decision can be made, ministers have said.

The government has now postponed their final ruling to allow for more assessment of noise levels and air quality, as campaigners argue the new runway would end up breaking pollution limits.

ITV News business editor Joel Hills reports:

Business leaders have slammed the government for being "gutless" and "weak" by further delaying a decision on whether to build a third runway at Heathrow.

David Cameron had promised to make a decision on which airport would be expanded by the end of the year, and the Airports Commission recommended it be Heathrow - but ministers have now postponed the decision until at least next summer.

ITV News deputy political editor Chris Ship reports:

Gatwick's chief executive has welcomed a further delay on a decision to add a third runway to Heathrow - saying it put his airport back on the table.

Stewart Wingate told ITV News that he believes ministers made the "sensible" decision.

He accused the Airports Commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, of failing to properly look at the environmental aspects of aviation expansion - and said Gatwick was the more green-friendly option.

The chief executive of Heathrow Airport has vowed to continue pushing for a controversial third runway - saying he was "confident" they would meet the government's "tough environmental standards".

After government ministers delayed a decision giving the runway the green light, Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye said their plan would bring the most economic benefits for the UK.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed a government delay on a key airport expansion decision - and urged ministers to consider scrapping the plans altogether.

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said the government was right to consider the impact of aviation on the environment - but said he was "disappointed" alternatives had not been considered.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has told ITV News he has no reason to apologise for delaying a decision on whether to allow a third runway to be built at Heathrow Airport.

He said it was vital that ministers could answer questions over noise and the environment before giving the green light.

He also defended keeping other options - including the expansion of Gatwick - open, despite the Airports Commission recommending Heathrow.

London Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith today said his pledge to quit as MP still stands if the go-ahead is given for a third runway at Heathrow.

It comes as the Government said a final decision on the new runway had been delayed until at least the summer "subject to further environmental consideration".

Goldsmith said: "I think the Government's made exactly the right decision. It is recognised finally that the environmental case, environmental questions are paramount."

And he stood by his pledge to quit as MP, saying: "Of course my pledge still stands, it's a pledge I made eight years ago."

Pro-airport expansion campaign group Let Britain Fly has criticised the government for delaying a decision over where to build a new runway.

Ministers met to discuss the Airports Commission's recommendation that a third runway be built at Heathrow - but they said further environmental assessments were needed before final approval could be given.

Let Britain Fly director Gavin Hayes said the business community would be "rightly angered" by the delay.

Read: Heathrow third runway decision delayed until at least summer