A politician has called for Gatwick Airport to be renamed Croydon International.
Steve O'Connell, the Greater London Assembly member for Croydon and Sutton, made the bizarre suggestion at a meeting of the GLA's transport committee today.
He also gave his backing to the airport's plans for a second runway.
His press team put out a statement this afternoon, saying that Mr O'Connell had "even discussed renaming the airport Croydon International" with Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate. The statement does not say how Mr Wingate responded to the idea.
Mr O'Connell, who earns more than £100,000 a year through several different political jobs, said: "A second runway at Gatwick International will be a significant growth opportunity for Croydon connecting it more closely with the rest of the world.
"An expanded Gatwick International means more jobs and trade for Croydon residents, and all of south London.
"At less than ten miles away from the borough, Gatwick is Croydon's first and best international connection and it only makes sense to link it by name to this recognisable part of London."
