Plane Stupid protest

[March 6th 2009]

Environmental group Plane Stupid has protested this morning over the building of a third runway at Heathrow airport.

Business secretary Peter Mandelson was the target of the protest as he attended a government summit on low carbon technology. Plane Stupid protestor Leila Deen, a 29 year old charity worker, threw a cup of green custard over the government minister.

Plane Stupid claims it was hypocritical of Mandelson to attend the low carbon summit in view of his alleged role in getting the third runway at Heathrow approved.

“That Mandelson is today trying to make political capital out of climate change just days after reports that he met BAA's top lobbyist several times in the run up to the Heathrow decision is an insult to our intelligence and to our whole generation that will suffer from climate change," said Plane Stupid’s Leila Deen.

"We know that Mandelson is best buddies with BAA's top lobbyist Roland Rudd, and reports suggest it was him who bullied Ed Miliband into accepting a third runway. We can't let the Prince of Darkness cast his shadow over West London," continued Deen.

“We have a tiny window left to stop climate change. I want to tell my children that I did not stand back and applaud as Mandelson ruined our last chance," Deen added.

This latest protest by Plane Stupid has raised concerns over security. Mandelson did not seem to have any security with him, and after the custard throwing incident Deen was simply ushered away by one of the minister’s press staff.

Government approval for the third runway at Heathrow was granted on January 15th this year. Airport operator BAA insists that airport noise and air quality will be scrutinised by an independent assessor.

BAA claims that a less congested airport will mean fewer planes queuing to land at or depart from Heathrow which will allow it to limit aircraft emissions.

In a recent poll by airport parking and airport hotels specialist Holiday Extras, 49.5% of respondents said they were in favour of a third runway at Heathrow. A further 21% said they opposed a third runway because of the environmental impact, while 20% said they objected because of the impact on local residents.

Written by: Nick Purdom

Photo: Plane Stupid

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