Transport secretary accuses Reform UK of ‘peddling myth’ net zero caused Heathrow shutdown
The transport secretary has accused Reform UK MPs of “peddling myths” about the cause of Heathrow Airport’s closure last week.
Heidi Alexander issued the rebuke after delivering a statement to the House of Commons on the shutdown, which followed a fire at an electricity substation in west London.
Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh asked the cabinet minister for her assurance that “nothing in our drive towards green energy and net zero will ever affect the sustainability and safety of our vital transport systems.”
The transport secretary responded: “I can give the honourable gentleman that assurance and I am very aware that there were some other honourable members of this House who aren’t present in the chamber today who were busy peddling some myths on Friday morning about this issue.
“It was very clear to me that the backup power supplies at Heathrow consist of both diesel and electricity generators.
“So no matter what some other honourable members might be saying, those systems did work, and I can give the honourable gentleman the assurance that he seeks.”
On Sunday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted to X: “Heathrow Airport had no diesel generator backup. It was removed as part of their drive to net zero.
“Dubai Airport and many military bases do have diesel generators and their aircraft would have continued flying.
“The truth about this disaster is being withheld.”
Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, had claimed in a GB News interview on Friday that an aviation expert told him that Heathrow is moving from diesel back-up generators to biomass.
He said: “It appears that Heathrow had changed its backup systems in order to be, wait for it… net zero compliant.
“They had got rid of their diesel generators and had moved towards a biomass generator that was designed not to completely replace the grid but work alongside it. Their net zero compliant backup system has completely failed in its core function at the first time of asking.
“We know diesel generators work as backup systems. If this is correct, and I have no reason to believe it’s not, they are guilty of gross negligence of the highest order”.
Neither Tice nor Farage were in the chamber on Monday to defend Reform’s stance.
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