Hoon held Madrid talks to 'build bridges' over BAA row

GEOFF HOON flew to Madrid for talks with the owners of Heathrow and Gatwick after they complained about Britain's competition watchdog, it was revealed today.

Ferrovial, the parent company of BAA, was so angry at the actions of the Competition Commission, which is forcing it to sell off several UK airports, that talks were held with Britain's ambassador in Spain, Denise Holt.

Shortly afterwards the Transport Secretary agreed to travel to Madrid on a mission to "build bridges" with Spanish firm Ferrovial, which bought BAA three years ago.

Details of the trip, which took place last month, will sparkconcerns over the links between the Government and BAA following allegations of collusion between the two over the plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

Shadow London minister Justine Greening said: "BAA and Ferrovial just need to click their fingers and the Secretary of State comes running, while local residents feel they were not giving a fair hearing [over Heathrow expansion]."

The background to Mr Hoon's trip emerged in minutes of a meeting between DfT officials held on 17 December last year that were released under freedom of information laws.