Responding to the announcement by the Airport Commission, Rehman said:
"I welcome the announcement today that the Airport Commission has ruled out shortlisting the Thames Estuary airport proposal.
"The independent Commission has listened to what we have been saying for many years; that it would be totally impractical, costly and would destroy important environmental sites.
"The Commission has conducted detailed research and taken evidence from many experts and shown once and for all why an airport in the Thames Estuary is not the solution to meet our country’s aviation needs.
"I thank all the local residents, the local authority and the experts who gave evidence, in making the commission aware why the Estuary airport solution was non-viable. Local residents can now get on with their lives without the uncertainty that their local environment and quality of life would have been destroyed by this bizarre proposal.
"I now hope that the Mayor of London can now get on with running London in which he is doing a good job, and leave the destiny of Kent and Medway to its residents and elected representatives."