Tories deny they plan to drop opposition to new Heathrow runway

The Tories today sought to quash talk that they will abandon their opposition to a third runway at Heathrow.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers slapped down a fellow front bencher who had said the party's policy on airport expansion may have to be "revisited" after the general election.

Shadow overseas aid minister Geoffrey Clifton-Brown stunned Conservative MPs with his comments which threw his party's position on Heathrow into doubt.

Seeking to address the confusion, Ms Villiers said: "Our position is clear and will not change. Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway at Heathrow."

Shadow London minister Justine Greening added: "The policy is cut and dry. It's not for reopening." Within hours of the Standard reporting his comments on Heathrow, Mr Clifton-Brown issued a statement seeking to clarify them.

He said: "Under a Conservative government there will be no third runway at Heathrow, and I did not intend to suggest otherwise."

David Cameron surprised many of his MPs with the decision last year to fight the proposed airport expansion.

Earlier Mr Clifton-Brown said: "This is a very difficult and controversial issue. Although I voted to oppose the third runway, I am fully aware of the potential damage this might do to Britain's international air travel.

"Equally it is pointless Britain cutting down on air travel only to find it goes to other European countries. So I expect this is an issue that will need to be revisited after the election."

Mr Clifton-Brown's initial views are shared by a number of Mr Cameron's shadow ministers though he was the first to speak out so openly. Labour immediately seized on the comments.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: "The Tories are keeping their true intentions on Heathrow secret until after the general election. Their transport policy is in disarray."

In January, the then Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon gave the Government's backing to another runway. But Lord Stern, who compiled a landmark report on global warming for Gordon Brown, criticised the Government's position, warning it undermined confidence in Britain's ability to meet climate change targets.

Many west London residents have fiercely campaigned against a bigger Heathrow.