While new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refused to attend the Cop27 climate summit this week, Boris Johnson is said to be planning to attend, according to a report.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was expected to challenge Rishi Sunak for the Conservative Party leadership but dropped out, plans to attend the crucial meeting of world leaders in Egypt to show his support for the climate crisis, according to the sources.
Boris Johnson’s presence would be concerning just days after Indian-origin Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister, as it would be interpreted as both a criticism of Rishi Sunak’s absence and an attempt to strengthen his position.
Asked whether Boris Johnson was attending Cop27, the cabinet office spokesman said, “The UK will be fully represented by senior ministers, including the foreign, business and environment secretaries, as well as Cop president Alok Sharma.”
Rishi Sunak’s decision not to attend the summit drew widespread criticism, including from members of his own party. “The prime minister is wrong not to go,” former culture secretary Nadine Dorries said.
“Global warming is the biggest crisis facing our planet and net zero creates many 100s of jobs which is good for the economy,” she tweeted.