Human rights

Applying established principles, the proposed deployment of anti-aircraft missiles on a residential building during the Olympic Games was clearly within the ambit of the secretary of state’s discretionary power and the decision had been made in good faith. There had been no statutory obligation to consult identified. If anything, the legislative scheme appeared to militate against any duty to consult. The proposed deployment fell within the scheme under the Town and Country Act 1990 for emergency development by the Crown, which disposed of the need for planning permission or consultation. Furthermore, there was no evidence that there had been a promise to consult, nor evidence of it having been past practice to consult in respect of deployment decisions, nor could it be said to be conspicuously unfair not to do so. In any event, the Ministry of Defence had voluntarily engaged with the community and residents and its consultation had been immaculate.