THE Government postponed its decision on airport expansion to avoid serious legal challenges and not because it is trying to appease its London mayoral candidate, a senior official has said.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said ministers’ delay in confirming the site of a new runway saved taxpayers from an ill-thought out and potentially costly verdict.

He said the pause, which Labour has branded an attempt to influence the London mayoral race, will give Whitehall more time to assess environmental concerns.

The Government-appointed Davies Commission previously recommended Heathrow get a third runway, after ruling out extending an existing Heathrow runway and a second one at Gatwick, and Prime Minister David Cameron had promised to make a decision by the end of the year.

But a resolution could now be as much as six months away as ministers pore over environmental findings.

Criticised by business groups and unions, Labour has said the delay is more to do with London’s next mayor, with Conservative candidate and anti-Heathrow extension campaigner Zac Goldsmith due to stand in the ballot.

However, Mr Goodwill, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said the plans’ green credentials are the key factor.

He told The Northern Echo: “We recognise Sir Howard Davies has identified three sites for potential expansion in the South-East.

“However, we did not have enough environmental data, on things such as air quality, and we need to do more work on that.

“Air quality is not increasing as we had predicted.

“But there are other aspects we need to address too, and if we had made a decision last week, we would have been open to legal challenges because we have not answered some of the big questions.

“We need to examine all options before we come up with a decision.”

Mr Goodwill was speaking as he opened Newcastle Airport’s departure lounge, which has undergone a £14m redevelopment.

The area includes new shops, eateries and bars, and Mr Goodwill said it was a reflection of airport bosses’ certainty about the site.

He added: “This is an amazing sign of confidence by the management; you would think you were in Fenwick's, it’s every bit as good.

“On top of that, you’ve got Newcastle’s New York service returning and its Dubai flights too, which mean it is very well placed to continue to grow.”

Councillor Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council and leader of the seven local authorities that are majority shareholders in the 80-year-old airport, hailed the changes.

He added: “This finishes a fine year for the airport and is a real vote of confidence by the shareholders.

“This will really make Newcastle the airport of choice.”