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| Airport ban 'only for protesters' | Airport ban 'only for protesters' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Heathrow operator BAA has denied claims it is seeking to ban millions of people from using roads and railways near the London airport. | |
| The company is asking the High Court for an injunction to prevent a climate change demonstration later this month. | The company is asking the High Court for an injunction to prevent a climate change demonstration later this month. |
| BAA's solicitor said it was aimed only at protesters who wanted to obstruct use of the airport or break the law. | BAA's solicitor said it was aimed only at protesters who wanted to obstruct use of the airport or break the law. |
| But critics claim it could affect members of the National Trust, RSPB and other groups who oppose airport growth. | But critics claim it could affect members of the National Trust, RSPB and other groups who oppose airport growth. |
| Those organisations could fall under the ban, opponents say, because they are affiliated with Airport Watch, an umbrella movement which unites green bodies and community groups who are against aviation expansion. | Those organisations could fall under the ban, opponents say, because they are affiliated with Airport Watch, an umbrella movement which unites green bodies and community groups who are against aviation expansion. |
| Among the critics of the proposed injunction is Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. | Among the critics of the proposed injunction is Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. |
| He has accused BAA chiefs of being "out of their skull" and said the injunction would cause chaos on the capital's transport system. | He has accused BAA chiefs of being "out of their skull" and said the injunction would cause chaos on the capital's transport system. |
| We are only trying to bind those people who wish to obstruct or prevent us from lawfully using the airport Tim Lawson-CruttendenBAA's solicitor | We are only trying to bind those people who wish to obstruct or prevent us from lawfully using the airport Tim Lawson-CruttendenBAA's solicitor |
| But BAA told the High Court its ban was aimed only at "the planned direct action by environmental activists". | But BAA told the High Court its ban was aimed only at "the planned direct action by environmental activists". |
| Thousands of campaigners plan to set up the Camp for Climate Action around Heathrow between 14 and 21 August. | Thousands of campaigners plan to set up the Camp for Climate Action around Heathrow between 14 and 21 August. |
| During the camp, demonstrators want to cause disruption for the airport and its passengers. | During the camp, demonstrators want to cause disruption for the airport and its passengers. |
| 'Servants and agents' | 'Servants and agents' |
| Solicitor Tim Lawson-Cruttenden said BAA wanted only to ban those who could be deemed "servants and agents" of the camp. | Solicitor Tim Lawson-Cruttenden said BAA wanted only to ban those who could be deemed "servants and agents" of the camp. |
| "So, rather than bind millions of people, which Mr Livingstone thought we are trying to bind, we are only trying to bind those people who wish to obstruct or prevent us from lawfully using the airport," Mr Lawson-Cruttenden said. | "So, rather than bind millions of people, which Mr Livingstone thought we are trying to bind, we are only trying to bind those people who wish to obstruct or prevent us from lawfully using the airport," Mr Lawson-Cruttenden said. |
| He said concerns that BAA was trying to get an injunction against members of organisations that come under the Airport Watch umbrella were misplaced. | He said concerns that BAA was trying to get an injunction against members of organisations that come under the Airport Watch umbrella were misplaced. |
| And he said the order concerned only four named people who were instrumental in protest groups. | And he said the order concerned only four named people who were instrumental in protest groups. |
| Earlier, one of them, John Stewart, from Hacan Clearskies, said BAA was seeking "the mother of all injunctions" which was "designed to shut down peaceful protest". | Earlier, one of them, John Stewart, from Hacan Clearskies, said BAA was seeking "the mother of all injunctions" which was "designed to shut down peaceful protest". |
| Protest is a basic British right Susan Kramer MPLiberal Democrat | Protest is a basic British right Susan Kramer MPLiberal Democrat |
| But BAA says 200,000 passengers a day pass through Heathrow in August and the injunction is vital to protect their rights. | But BAA says 200,000 passengers a day pass through Heathrow in August and the injunction is vital to protect their rights. |
| Liberal Democrat Transport Secretary, Susan Kramer MP, joined a protest outside the High Court on Wednesday. | Liberal Democrat Transport Secretary, Susan Kramer MP, joined a protest outside the High Court on Wednesday. |
| She said: "BAA has been deaf to the suffering of local residents who are calling for an end to plans that would double flights at Heathrow. | She said: "BAA has been deaf to the suffering of local residents who are calling for an end to plans that would double flights at Heathrow. |
| "It beggars belief that they are now trying to gag protest and keep objectors far from the airport. | "It beggars belief that they are now trying to gag protest and keep objectors far from the airport. |
| "Protest is a basic British right. BAA needs to stop being so arrogant and start listening." | "Protest is a basic British right. BAA needs to stop being so arrogant and start listening." |