Dimas jumps into Heathrow debate

As the House of Commons debates Heathrow expansion, the Standard reports that EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas has warned that "pollution laws must not be flouted to allow a third runway at Heathrow".

Dimas told the Standard:

"It is critical that Member States respect EU legislation which is designed to protect the environment and the health of our citizens."

Nicholas Cecil has done well to get this warning out of Dimas at this time, with increasing evidence that the UK is planning to "fudge" the EU air quality directive, in spite of what Hilary Benn said last week.