Downing Street have this morning confirmed that prime minister, Rishi Sunak, will be attending the COP27 climate summit in Egypt later this month.
The decision reverses an earlier announcement in which it was suggested that the prime minister was unable to attend given the work needed on the government’s forthcoming financial statement. The November 17 financial statement coincides with the end of the COP27 summit.
Mr Sunak’s previous decision not to attend had been widely criticised, with the symbolism of absence, creating potential political difficulties for Mr Sunak. Both President Biden from the United States and President Macron from France are attending the event.
Former prime minister, Boris Johnson, also revealed yesterday that he had been invited to attend the summit by its Egyptian hosts, and that he also would be going.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is also travelling to Egypt.
Ahead of the matter potentially being raised as prime minsters questions this lunchtime, Downing Street have now said that the prime minister has made ‘significant progress’ on the financial statement, and as such he is now able to attend.
Responding to the change of plan by the prime minister, the Labour shadow cabinet minister, Ed Miliband said, “The prime minister has been shamed into going to COP27 by the torrent of disbelief that he would fail to turn up. He is going to avoid embarrassment, not to provide leadership”.
