Heathrow vote - as it happened: Theresa May hopes to get Commons approval of third runway expansion
Follow all the latest updates from Westminster, as they happened
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Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
MPs have backed a crucial vote on approving a third runway at Heathrow airport after years of delays on the highly contentious issue.
It follows Theresa May’s decision to give the expansion the green light but Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, who has been a staunch opponent of the plans, came under mounting pressure when it emerged he had jetted off to Afghanistan to dodge the vote.
The government secured a comfortable victory on Monday evening, as Labour MPs were given a free vote on the issue and the SNP decided to abstain.
See below for live updates
Speaking to the London Evening Standard about his decision to be out of the country during the crucial vote on Heathrow, Boris Johnson said: “My resignation would have achieved absolutely nothing."
Here's Boris Johnson's original pledge to anti-Heathrow activists when he was elected to his constituency seat.
The Foreign Office are still refusing to tell journalists where the Foreign Secretary is off on his travels later today, citing security reasons.
Mr Corbyn denied that Labour MPs were being given a free vote due to union pressure, saying: "I have had no contact from Unite leadership at all on this issue.
"Unite, as a union, does support the expansion of Heathrow. I have my concerns, and I have expressed them and therefore will be voting against the expansion of Heathrow."
Before the Heathrow debate takes place today (the vote is scheduled for around 10pm) ministers are also expected to submit three written statements in the Commons. One is on childhood obesity, another the haulage Bill, and a third on Personal Independence Payments.
Two urgent questions have also been granted by the Speaker.
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