Anti-terror powers used at climate camp

By Nick Martin

The police and Downing Street lined up with BAA today to warn climate change protesters not to disrupt Heathrow Airport.

The camp for climate action is itself still a modest affair, but it is overshadowed by a row about tactics.

It’s home for the next week to hundreds of climate change activists – who are being watched by hundreds of police.

Heathrow’s climate camp is designed to raise awareness of the environmental impact of aviation, and the airport’s expansion plans.

Yet there are fears it could become the base for illegal protests. Downing Street has warned that any disruption would be unacceptable.

Campaigners, meanwhile, have condemned police for using anti-terrorism powers to question those attending.

Protesters began setting up the camp yesterday on a large rectangular piece of wasteland. It’s just a few hundred yards north of Heathrow’s perimeter fence.