Last week, BAA sought a legal injunction against members of 15 environmental groups to prevent them from taking part in demonstrations at the airport.

But at the High Court yesterday, the company insisted it was only pursuing legal action to stop people from behaving “illegally”.

BAA is still seeking an injunction to block Camp for Climate Action, a sit-in style demonstration planned for 14th to 21st August.

And the company is pulling out all the stops to prevent four environmentalists – Joss Garman, Leo Murray, John Stewart and Geraldine Nicholson, who each represent small aviation watchdog groups – from going anywhere near the airport.

“I am seeking to bring within the definition of protesters persons acting unlawfully in the name of Camp for Climate Action,” said Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden, BAA’s lawyer. “What BAA does not want is people coming on to the airport to act unlawfully and, on the evidence, these four groups intend to [do] just that.”

Only hours ago, BAA told the High Court that it should be granted the injunction because the planned demonstration may get out of control.

“They can’t control their members, and they can’t control what their members do at protest camp,'’ said Mr Lawson- Cruttenden.

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