“We will not be gagged” says Liberal Democrat leader Cllr. David Franks.

The two Liberal Democrat directors on the board of the Council owned airport company have resigned saying they have been told they are not allowed to publicly criticise decisions of the board with which they strongly disagree.

“We have consistently opposed and voted against plans to build on Wigmore Valley Park and to make Ashcroft Road & Wigmore Lane major access routes to the airport,” says Cllr. David Franks. “We are also seriously concerned that not enough is being done to deal with the effects of air pollution on the health of thousands of children attending schools near the airport and the flight paths.”

“Now, we have been told lawyers say we are not allowed to publicly disagree with and criticise the decisions with which we have a sincere and serious concern unless the Labour members of the board agree that we may do so. This is a situation with which we cannot and will not live. We will not be gagged so we have both resigned from the board with immediate effect.”

The text of their resignation letter is as follows:
“You know we strongly disagree with the decision of the board to build on Wigmore Valley Park. You know we strongly disagree with the decision of the board to make Ashcroft Road and Wigmore Lane major access routes for the airport. You know we are not satisfied enough air quality monitoring is to be undertaken to establish what needs to be done to protect the neighbouring residents and particularly the health & wellbeing of the thousands of children who attend schools near the airport and/or the flight paths. You know that we are concerned that not enough work is being undertaken to reduce noise pollution.

Now, you are saying your lawyers say we are not allowed to publicly disagree with and criticise the decisions with which we have a sincere and serious concern unless the Labour members of the board agree that we may do so. This is a situation with which we cannot and will not live.

Please note my resignation from the board of London Luton Airport Limited with immediate effect and register my resignation with Companies House.

I have discussed this situation with my Liberal Democrat colleagues, and they have decided that they will not be nominating a replacement candidate for the board. This means all decisions henceforth will be made by Labour and Tory councillors and I will be free to criticise them as much as I feel I need to. Please acknowledge receipt of this.”