Boris Johnson today fired the opening salvo in his war with David Cameron over “nonsensical” delays to a decision on Britain’s aviation crisis.
Hours after the Mayor attended a “peace summit” at the Prime Minister’s country residence details emerged of a major speech that Mr Johnson will make to business and aviation leaders this week.
In a startling intervention that will come three days before the start of the Conservative party conference, Mr Johnson will attack the Government’s attempt to put off a decision on the future of the UK’s airports until after the next election.
Although aides have insisted that the timing of the speech is “coincidental”, it will increase tensions between the two political rivals.
The Prime Minister last month announced a new independent commission headed by former top business chief Sir Howard Davies into the future of airports. But the commission will only make a final decision on whether to build a new airport or a third runway in 2015 — after the next election.
Sir Howard will release an interim report at the end of next year, which some experts believe could pave the way for more flights at Heathrow.
Mr Johnson is understood to be “extremely concerned” that it could take the Government years to act even after Sir Howard reports back in 2015.
He believes the commission could present its findings in 12 to 15 months. Sources told the Standard that the Mayor will use his speech to demonstrate that the time-scale outlined by the Government for the Davies commission is “nonsensical”.
Speaking in front of about 100 business leaders it is understood that Mr Johnson will say that the delays are “artificial” and “unnecessary”.
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It will be his first speech on aviation since he declared war on Mr Cameron following the sacking of former Transport Secretary Justine Greening in last month’s reshuffle.
Mr Johnson called that decision “mad” and said it was a sign that Mr Cameron was considering a U-turn on a third runway at Heathrow.
The Prime Minister invited Mr Johnson to Sunday lunch at his local pub this weekend. The two politicians then played football against their children in a match that sources said was dominated by the Mayor’s son Milo.
Mr Johnson today said that the discussions held at Chequers were “ruminative and fruitful”.
He added: “We had positive discussions about Heathrow but what I don’t understand is why we have to wait three years to get going.”
The Mayor will use his speech to reiterate his preference for a four-runway hub airport to the east of London — the so-called Boris island solution.
