Prescott criticised for regional airport visits

Tuesday, 15 August 2006 12:00 AM

John Prescott was accused of being "sidelined" last night after it emerged that he visited three regional airports yesterday but avoided the chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick.

The deputy prime minister has had a low profile since the alleged plot to blow up several transatlantic flights was revealed last week, with home secretary John Reid taking the lead on informing the public of the latest developments.

Mr Reid - who was only appointed to his job in May - has also been chairing meetings of the cabinet emergency committee, Cobra, although officials insist it is normal for the minister directly responsible to take the lead.

But yesterday Mr Prescott made three private visits to Stansted, Humberside and Doncaster airports to see how the additional security arrangements were being implemented and how they were affecting passengers.

A Downing Street spokesman said he had been "greatly impressed by the work going on, and had extended his thanks to the travelling public for their patient understanding".

Questioned why he had decided to go to regional airports, and not Gatwick or Heathrow, the spokesman said the decision had been taken for "sensible operational reasons", and had been based on which airports were best to visit at the time.

However, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "This is yet another indication of the way that John Prescott has been sidelined.

"With the world's attention focused on Heathrow and Gatwick, the deputy prime minister has kept himself busy by visiting the airports that are conveniently on the route of his drive back to London."

Today Mr Prescott is due to hold a meeting with cabinet colleagues to discuss government business and update them on the Middle East situation.

Yesterday the Downing Street spokesman said there were "no plans" to give into demands of up to 150 MPs and recall parliament to discuss the conflict in the Lebanon.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah that began at 8am yesterday appears to be holding and the spokesman noted that this meant the argument for a recall had changed.

Mr Prescott will also be holding meetings with Muslim MPs today, in a prearranged meeting that forms part of his wider efforts to engage with the Muslim community following last year's terror attacks on London.

Yesterday he joined communities secretary Ruth Kelly in holding talks with Muslim leaders to urge them to "raise the game" on tackling extremism among young Britons.

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