Sadiq Khan Signals Potential Legal Battle Over Heathrow Expansion

[Social Media]

 

Sir Sadiq Khan has suggested that he may use taxpayer funds to challenge Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, citing environmental concerns. The Mayor of London, a long-time opponent of the expansion, has warned that if Heathrow’s plans fail to address his concerns, he is prepared to take legal action.  

 

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s *Today* programme, Sir Sadiq was asked whether he would use public money to launch a legal challenge. He responded, “Look, I’m a pro-business, pro-growth mayor. We recently announced a London Growth Plan because I really believe in the importance of growing the economy.” When pressed further, he added, “I agree with nearly all of Rachel’s policies relating to growth. But let’s wait and see what plans Heathrow publish. Look, if Heathrow don’t address the concerns I’ve highlighted, then, of course, my job is to stand for London.”  

 

When asked directly if he would allocate funds from his mayoral budget to oppose the expansion, he reiterated, “Let’s wait and see what plans Heathrow publish. But I will use all the tools in my tool kit if I think it’s wrong in terms of Londoners’ interest, and indeed the national interest.”  

 

Rachel Reeves has backed the expansion, describing the third runway as “badly needed” and arguing that it could create 100,000 jobs and be completed within a decade. However, Sir Sadiq has remained firm in his opposition, stating in January, “I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets. I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on people living in the area and the huge knock-on effects for our transport infrastructure.”  

 

While acknowledging that the aviation sector has made “huge progress” in sustainability, he added, “I’m simply not convinced that you can have hundreds of thousands of additional flights at Heathrow every year without a hugely damaging impact on our environment.”  

 

Reeves has also supported plans to expand capacity at Gatwick and other London airports, arguing that such projects are crucial for economic growth. However, opposition to Heathrow expansion is not new within the Labour Party. In 2018, six current Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, voted against the third runway. Other key figures, such as Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed, also opposed the expansion at the time.  

 

Despite this, some former critics have shifted their stance. In January, Steve Reed stated he would now support the runway “in line with the Government’s climate and environmental commitments.” Ed Miliband reportedly argued against the expansion in a recent Cabinet meeting but later confirmed he would not resign over Reeves’ decision to back it.  

 

Sir Sadiq’s opposition to Heathrow expansion is just the latest in a series of policy disagreements with the Labour leadership. Last summer, he hinted at a Brexit divide, suggesting that the UK could rejoin the EU “in the medium to long term,” despite the party ruling out such a move. In 2023, he also opposed Sir Keir’s proposal to allow housing development on green belt land, insisting that even “derelict and unsightly” parts should be protected from construction.  

 

His latest remarks suggest that tensions within the party remain over key policy decisions, with the Heathrow expansion set to be a major point of contention in the coming months.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-10

 

 

[Theforgotten1]

After a kick back

[Watawattana]

I guess he's entitled to go down the legal route.  Will be a test of Labour's promises to stop pointless legal action.  Not a single penny of tax payer money should be spent on such action though, and if they lose then they must pay all legal costs.  Far better there's work to allay concerns and mitigate issues than delaying tactics.

[JonnyF]

"Sir" Sadiq?

 

Seriously?

 

This race baiter is the worst choice for a knighthood since Jimmy Saville. 

[Patong2021]

The mayor is representing a large number of citizens who are opposed. If he wants to  mount a legal challenge he should not use public funds as he does not have a mandate to do so. Polling shows a majority are in favour of the expansion. The man is over stepping his authority in respect to use of public funds.

[erikame]

50 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

I guess he's entitled to go down the legal route.  Will be a test of Labour's promises to stop pointless legal action.  Not a single penny of tax payer money should be spent on such action though, and if they lose then they must pay all legal costs.  Far better there's work to allay concerns and mitigate issues than delaying tactics.

If Labor's promises are serious, they have to prove it.