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There was confusion today after the Mayor of London seemly dropped a key manifesto live on television. Speaking on Question Time last night, Boris Johnson responded to host David Dimbledy’s suggestion that supporting the airport was an example of him contradicting his leader David Cameron's policies, saying: "I don't want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary." His office quickly 'clarified' the Mayor's startling statement, that there are "no actual plans in place". An airport on the Thames has been vigorously supported by the Mayor and became part of his 2008 election manifesto - he argues it would be a viable alternative to a third runway at Heathrow but the council and locals are opposed. A £40bn price tag has been placed on the project; a study commissioned by Johnson said the airport was "technically feasible." He told colleges it would be "the single biggest... and bravest project we do". His leader David Cameron poured cold water on the plans saying a four-lane runway on an artificial island was not in Tory spending plans. Heathrow left out of High Speed Rail network Added emphasis to an East London airport was given today after it emerged Heathrow will be left out of a new nationwide High Speed Rail network, according to a Department for Transport report. Kent County Council, Medway Council, business leaders and environmentalists have blasted the proposals to build off the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent, for what has been dubbed "Boris Island". The Mayor's office said: "The mayor was referring to the fact that there are no actual plans in place to build an airport. However he believes the complex and critical decisions on Britain's aviation future require mature exploration of every possible option. He has set up a steering group whose role is to oversee further study and research on issues in the estuary such as energy, flood management, transport, ecology and regeneration. Their research will be invaluable when deciding if a new airport there could meet London's future needs." Lord Adonis challenge – “you kept interrupting me” He was also challenged several times on spending cut plans for the capital and Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, with whom he has a running public spat over £400m budget gap wanted to turn the conversation toward Transport for London, which the host slapped down. He also accused the host for repeatedly interrupting him when hosting a Mayoral debate during the election. A member of the Canary Warf audience told Johnson to stop waffling and admit he did not know the answer.
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