Rishi Sunak may U-turn on decision to stay away from Cop27 summit

2022-10-31

Rishi Sunak may U-turn on decision to stay away from Cop27 summit, sources say

Alok Sharma said he was ‘disappointed’ PM was not intending to go to summit
Allies of Rishi Sunak said his priority was ‘first and foremost’ domestic issues
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering attending the meeting

The Prime Minister could perform a U-turn and attend the Cop27 climate summit following criticism of his decision to snub it, sources said last night.

Allies of Rishi Sunak said his priority was ‘first and foremost’ domestic issues, but he may also go to the meeting in Egypt.

A source told the Financial Times that whether he goes ‘depends on progress’ tackling the economic crisis and Autumn Statement on November 17.

News of a possible change of heart came after Britain’s climate tsar said yesterday that Mr Sunak could undermine Britain’s role as a world leader on green issues if he snubbed the summit from November 6 to 18.

Allies of Rishi Sunak said his priority was ‘first and foremost’ domestic issues, but he may also go to the meeting in Egypt

Alok Sharma said he was ‘disappointed’ that Mr Sunak was not intending to go. Ex-prime minister Boris Johnson is considering attending the meeting of world leaders, causing alarm in No 10 that it will be seen as criticism of Mr Sunak.

The PM had said he wanted to focus on Britain’s ‘depressing domestic challenges’.

But it raised concerns that the UK would not be properly represented at the summit. Ex-PM Liz Truss had been planning to go.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Business Secretary Grant Shapps and Environment Secretary Therese Coffey will attend with Mr Sharma.

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that the King – who was advised not to attend Cop27 – will host a reception for global business leaders beforehand at Buckingham Palace.

Ex-prime minister Boris Johnson is considering attending the meeting of world leaders, causing alarm in No 10 that it will be seen as criticism of Mr Sunak

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