TONGE; "BAA DEMANDS ARE OUTRAGEOUS"

3.34.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2003

Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has reacted with fury to demands by British Airports Authority boss Mike Clasper for new runways at all three of London's airports.

The MP, who is in Malawi this week as the guest of Marie Stopes International to look at reproductive health projects, "phoned home" to register her protest.

The MP said: "I simply do not accept the need for more expansion at any of the three London airports – and most particularly not at Heathrow, where a third runway would cause quite unacceptable environmental damage. "If we must have more airport capacity – which I dispute – it should most certainly be in the Thames estuary.

I agree that Cliffe was not a suitable site because of the dangers from and to local birdlife – but to dismiss the whole idea on grounds of cost alone is thoroughly irresponsible.""I shall write to Alistair Darling – and to Mr Clasper – upon my return."

"ENDS"

"Notes for Editors: HACAN Clearskies: 020 8876 0455