A Hillingdon Conservative councillor has criticised a Labour assembly member for attending a pro-Heathrow expansion event, calling it a 'betrayal'.

Dr Onkar Sahota joined Labour peer David Blunkett at a Heathrow Skills Taskforce event on June 29 where it was announced Lord Blunkett would be chairing the group .

Hillingdon Council 's cabinet member for planning, transportation and recycling Keith Burrows has slammed the assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon for attending the event.

'Betrayal'

Cllr Burrows, who represents the Uxbridge South ward, said: “It was terribly disappointing to see on social media that the Labour GLA member for Ealing and Hillingdon was recently photographed attending a pro-Heathrow expansion event with David Blunkett.

“As hard as this betrayal is to understand, let me take this opportunity to assure all members in the chamber and all Hillingdon residents that this administration will kowtow to big foreign businesses, or governments of any colour, but will continue to put our residents first.”

Cllr Burrows made the comments at a full council meeting on Thursday (July 7) at the Civic Hall in Uxbridge.

The Heathrow Skills Taskforce has been set up by the airport to ensure there are enough skilled workers to fill any new jobs that would be created by the proposed expansion to include a third runway .

CEO of the airport, John Holland-Kaye attended the event alongside Lord Blunkett and Dr Sahota.

But questions have been raised over the future of airport expansion in south east after Britain voted to leave the European Union on June 23 .

Decision delayed

Transport minister Patrick McLoughlin has also announced a decision on expanding Heathrow has been delayed October – after a new Prime Minister is chosen.

Leader of the Hillingdon Council Labour group, Cllr Mo Kursheed, said he had not been aware Dr Sahota was attending the event, and said he would be contacting him on Friday (July 8).

getwestlondon has approached Dr Sahota for comment.