More spin over Heathow

It turns out that Gordon Brown and Geoff Hoon may indeed have been trying to bounce the cabinet into approving Heathrow expansion by spinning that the announcement would be made this week. The Guardian says:

The prime minister is planning to set out the case for having the runway at today's cabinet meeting, prompting speculation that Geoff Hoon, the transport secretary, will make a formal announcement approving the runway on Thursday.

But there were signs last night that this could be put off, possibly until later this month, as concerned cabinet ministers demand greater assurances on air quality, noise pollution, and what was described as the overall "environmental story".