Mayor of London threatens to take legal action over airport extension

The mayor of London has reportedly threatened to take legal action against the government if, as expected, it approves plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport next month.

Media reports at the weekend said that Boris Johnson was in talks with several of the capital's local authorities to join forces in legal opposition to expansion at Heathrow.

They wish to argue that a third runway at the UK's largest airport would contravene EU pollution rules. But the government has said that it would not approve the new runway unless stringent environmental standards were met.

Geoff Hoon, the transport minister, is expected to give Heathrow's expansion the go-ahead next month.

The Sunday Times reported that the mayor's office has pledged £15,000 towards legal costs if lawyers say that there is a case for preventing the airport going ahead.

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