Aer Lingus deal vows ‘could be unpicked’

Claims by the man leading the €1.36bn bid to buy Aer Lingus that his “smart lawyers” will take care of pledges to keep Heathrow slots open have been used against him by opponents of the sale.

TDs and trade unions warned that IAG chief Willie Walsh’s lawyers were probably so “smart” they could unpick any agreement on the lucrative routes in the future if it suited the multi-national.

As Mr Walsh launched a media offensive to try and salvage the takeover bid, he moved to attempt to win back political support by appearing before the Oireachtas transport committee, insisting the deal would be good for Ireland, and the Heathrow slots would be safe for five years under a legally- binding deal.