Vince Cable

MP Vincent Cable said he was "delighted that BAA, the airport company, has been forced by the High Court to accept that democratic, peaceful, protest over airport expansion cannot be stopped".

"It was absolutely outrageous that environmental groups like the National Trust and HACAN, the protest group against aircraft noise, should be subject to gagging orders and restrictions on freedom of movement. I am glad that Justice Scott has thrown out most of BAA's demands".

BAA's action has been, I have no doubt, totally counterproductive. It has highlighted the coming protest. It has alienated large numbers of middle of the road people who don't agree with illegal forms of disruptive action but do value the right to protest, peacefully".

"With the government threatening to curb residents' objections to airport expansion through the planning process, freedom of speech and lawful demonstrations become even more important and must be defended".