THE Tories are attempting to ambush Gordon Brown next week by forcing a vote on plans for a third runway at Heathrow.It's believed more than 50 Labour MPs are opposed to the project, and if they align themselves with David Cameron and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, they could push through a humiliating defeat for the Prime Minister.

Graham Dines

THE Tories are attempting to ambush Gordon Brown next week by forcing a vote on plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

It's believed more than 50 Labour MPs are opposed to the project, and if they align themselves with David Cameron and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, they could push through a humiliating defeat for the Prime Minister.

The Conservatives are using one of their allotted days to hold a debate on the Heathrow project. When Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the go-ahead for a third runway a week ago, Labour MP John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) was thrown out of the Commons after grabbing the mace in protest at the plans.

He will have served his five day suspension by the time next week's debate takes place.

Last night, London mayor Boris Johnson held a public meeting in Hayes which will be badly affected if the runway is built.

The Mayor warned expansion was unlikely to stop at current plans and could lead to a fourth runway and a sixth terminal. He told the large audience that he would fulfil his pledge to fight the Government's decision by launching a legal battle alongside local councils.

Mr Johnson had invited Gordon Brown to the meeting to explain his decision to the 600 strong crowd, but the Prime Minister declined to attend. Many of the audience were from villages close to the airport, who would be affected by the loss of homes, schools and noise.