Geoff Hoon MP, Labour's Transport Secretary, commenting on calls from the Mayor of London's International Business Advisory Council for London for Boris Johnson to reconsider his opposition to a third runway at Heathrow, said:

"The fact that the council has had to use its very first meeting to try to explain to Boris Johnson the need for a third runway just goes to demonstrate the lack of leadership shown by both Boris and David Cameron on this issue.

"Having ducked and flip flopped on this question for so long, the Tories have now confirmed that they would refuse to support the thousands of British jobs and businesses which rely on Heathrow's status as a major international hub airport.

"Heathrow supports 170,000 jobs directly, and many more indirectly, billions of pounds of British exports and is our main gateway to the global economy.

"Labour is the only party which has shown leadership in recognising that the expansion of Heathrow - subject to meeting strict local environmental conditions on noise, air quality and surface access - is important for British business and jobs."