THE chair of the committee that last week rejected plans to expand the runway at Southampton Airport has stepped down.

Cllr Tina Campbell has stepped down from the Liberal Democrats group in Eastleigh and from her role as cabinet member for social policy at Eastleigh Borough Council.

She described her decision as "an internal liberal democrat matter related to the leadership of the local party".

But Cllr Keith House, leader of the council, said Cllr Campbell "does not support taking the airport decision next week".

The news comes as last Thursday the Eastleigh Local Area Committee voted against the proposals to extend the runway at Southampton Airport by 164m.

As reported, five of the eight councillors on the committee - including Cllr Campbell - voted against the plans on the grounds of climate change and noise.

The final decision will have to be taken by full council on April 8.

When asked the reasons behind her decision to stand down, Cllr Campbell said: "This is an internal liberal democrat matter related to the leadership of the local party which it would not be appropriate for me to comment on in public.  I would like to stress that I have full confidence in my former Lib Dem colleagues who work incredibly hard on behalf of the local community.  I will be participating in the meeting next week and I am keen to hear the views of all those taking part and I will take their comments into account when deciding how to vote at the end of the meeting.”

Cllr House said: “Tina does not support taking the airport decision next week. The Council meeting has been called to take this decision and to remove uncertainty either way on this application.  We will have good debate next week and all of the issues can be properly discussed by all councillors."

He said Cllr Paul Bicknell and Cllr Tonia Craig will take over the Social Policy portfolio until the council annual general meeting later this year.