Cameron warned of Commons defeat if he fails to back Heathrow expansion

Sir Howard Davies's independent airports commission report makes strong recommendation for third runway at Heathrow

Tory grandees are warning David Cameron that he will face a heavy parliamentary defeat if he fails to back a third runway at Heathrow airport, in line with the morning's recommendation by Sir Howard Davies's independent airports commission.

The prime minister and the Tory chief whip, Mark Harper, have been told that the pro-Heathrow contingent in parliament - comprising a sizeable number of Tories, the Labour party, the SNP and the DUP - has a clear Commons majority.