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Anti-Heathrow expansion Parliament protestors bailed

28/02/2008

Five environmental activists who scaled the roof at the Houses of Parliament have been bailed until April.

The Metropolitan police said the three men and two women had been arrested on suspicion of trespassing under the Serious and Organised Crime and Police Act.

The demonstrators, from Plane Stupid, unfurled two banners from the roof yesterday morning in protest at plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

Wednesday's demonstration coincided with the final day of the government's consultation on the expansion proposals and Gordon Brown's appearance at prime minister's questions at midday.

Fielding questions from MPs, Mr Brown said the Heathrow debate should be conducted within the House of Commons, and not on its roof.

BAA, which was accused by Plane Stupid of writing parts of the government consultation, dismissed yesterday's action as a "stunt".

Earlier this week two Greenpeace protestors scaled an Airbus A320 at Heathrow in a similar protest against expansion plans at Britain's busiest airport.

With the consultation now closed, attention will turn towards how the demonstrators managed to breach security and reach the section of roof by Big Ben.

The Met said yesterday there was a "strong possibility" the activists were guests of a security pass holder, prompting media speculation that a sympathetic MP had let them in.