 'Clearly he wants to concentrate on the financial statement and that's what he's doing. 'But if he's able to get through all of that, you know, COP is very important. It's important to the government, it's important to our future, and so we'll send out senior ministers. 'That's yet to be decided who's going to go.' Asked if he would like to see Rishi Sunak attend, Mr Sunak said: 'Well, if he's got time. 'Only he will know what he's got in his inbox and in his diary, if he has the time. But he'll make that call and I'm sure it'll be the right one.' It came after COP26 President Alok Sharma, a Tory minister, said he was 'disappointed' while ex-Chancellor George Osborne said the PM had 'mishandled' the situation. Mr Osborne told Channel 4's The Andrew Neil Show: "Why trash that because you don't want to get on a plane to Egypt?" Environment minister Mark Spencer said Rishi Sunak will go to COP27 'if he has the time' ( Amanda Rose / Avalon) Lord Deben, chairman of the Climate Change Committee, said it would be 'very valuable' for the PM to attend as the UK's bid to tackle emissions was "off t){kind=link}
After Tory anger and suggestions his rival Boris Johnson could go, sources and a minister now say Rishi Sunak could attend COP27 in Egypt – if he gets enough work done
Rishi Sunak could U-turn and attend the COP27 climate summit after a major Tory backlash, it emerged today.
The Prime Minister pulled out of next week’s talks in Egypt due to “pressing domestic commitments” like the November 17 Autumn Statement.
But No10 sources and a minister have now opened the door to him going – if he gets enough work done.
It comes after Tory anger and reports his rival Boris Johnson – who took a leading role at last year’s COP26 in Glasgow – was planning to go.