MPs from across the political spectrum have accused Heathrow airport and Google of attempting to "swing votes" over the pending decision for a new runway on the site.

That's after a number of them were sent luxury gift packages containing jam, cheese, phone accessories and stationary.

Tory MP Steve Baker and Labour MP Zarah Sultana were sent packages by the team behind the Heathrow expansion.

They accused Google and Heathrow of attempting to swing their votes on the forthcoming decision about building a new runway at the UK's busiest airport.

Sultana said: "It was nice of you to send me this, Heathrow Airport, but I still think building a third runway will accelerate the climate emergency and should be cancelled."

Your Local Guardian: twitter feed of Labour MP Zarah Sultana of a package sent to her by the team behind the Heathrow expansion. Image: Zarah Sultanatwitter feed of Labour MP Zarah Sultana of a package sent to her by the team behind the Heathrow expansion. Image: Zarah Sultana

Like Sultana, many critics of the third runway project have slammed the projected increase in carbon emissions it will bring in the face of the climate crisis that demands a reduction in those emissions.

From the opposite side of the political spectrum, Conservative and leading Brexiteer Steve Baker also received the same package and slammed its supposed purpose.

He tweeted: "What lobbying looks like.

"Today's culprits: Heathrow.

"(Whether a packet of crisps, some jam, shortbread and a charger will swing any votes on a major national infrastructure project... )"

Your Local Guardian: A third runway at Heathrow airpot will increase carbon emissions at a time when the climate emergency demands a drastic decrease in these emissionsA third runway at Heathrow airpot will increase carbon emissions at a time when the climate emergency demands a drastic decrease in these emissions

Meanwhile Green Party MP Caroline Lucas also hit out at Google and YouTube for sending a package of "goodies" to her office.

The package, which contained information about the company, was sent to all MPs following the election.

The former Green Party leader, and the party's only MP, tweeted a picture of herself holding a coffee cup and said: "Thanks for the goodies Google and Youtube, but I still think you should pay your fair share of corporation tax."

Google, who also own Youtube, paid just £65 million in corporation tax in the UK in the 2018 financial year, despite revenues estimated at well over £1 billion.

The Heathrow third runway project was given outline approval by MPs in June 2018.

However, in December the Civil Aviation Authority refused to approve the airport's bid to nearly quadruple the amount it spends before obtaining final approval, over fears passengers would foot the bill if the project did not go ahead.

The London airport had hoped to open a third runway by the end of 2026, but this has been pushed back to 2028-9.

Heathrow was contacted for comment.