Mayor blasts Heathrow vote ruling

Mr Johnson says runway won't be built

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has accused the prime minister of not having the "guts" to let MPs vote on plans to build Heathrow's third runway.

Pledging to support a legal challenge, the Tory mayor said: "I have absolutely no doubt we are going to be successful. This runway will not be built."

Ministers say MPs never vote on "quasi judicial planning matters".

But that prompted a protest by Labour Heathrow MP John McDonnell who ended up being suspended during the debate.

The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and up to 50 Labour MPs oppose the plans and there was some anger that there would be no Commons vote on them.

Security risks

Speaking to BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Johnson - who favours building a new airport in the Thames estuary - said: "They haven't got the guts to call a Parliamentary vote on this matter."

He challenged the prime minister to turn up to a public debate on the third runway in Hillingdon - the borough in which Heathrow is based - and claimed the vast majority of people in London were against it.

I am pleased about the decision that we have reached because I do believe it is the right way forward for the UK Geoff HoonTransport secretary

"They haven't even got the nerve to put it to a vote of the whole of Parliament, let alone in London."

He also said he would contribute