Sunak ‘could U-turn’ on Cop27, as Truss’s ‘jaw-dropping’ expenses uncovered – live

Jump to contentSign up to our newslettersSubscribeNewsSportsVoicesCultureLifestyleTravelPremiumCloseRishi Sunak could go to Cop27 climate summit, minister Mark Spencer saysRishi Sunak is considering attending the Cop27 climate summit, a minister said, in what would be the first big U-turn of his premiership.The prime minister has been widely criticised for his decision to snub the gathering in Egypt – despite the UK’s role in handing over its presidency and the urgent need to combat the climate emergency.But Mark Spencer, the farming minister, hinted at a U-turn, saying Mr Sunak would attend the summit – starting on 6 November – if ‘he’s got time’.Mr Sunak’s insistence that he must focus on ‘depressing domestic challenges’ sparked backlash in the Tory ranks.Meanwhile, a new biography of Liz Truss has raised questions about her expenses while a cabinet minister.When travelling abroad the ex-prime minister made demands resembling a rock star ‘rider’ including a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in any hotel room and lavish photoshoots, extracts of the book said.Labour’s shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry said the claims in the book were ‘jaw-dropping’ and questioned why no government declarations were made for such trips.1667204735Mark Spencer said Rishi Sunak could go to Cop27 if ‘he’s got time’.Speaking to Sky News the farming minister said: ‘Clearly he wants to concentrate on the financial statement and that’s what he’s doing,’ he told Sky News.’But if he’s able to get through… all of that, you know, Cop is very important. It’s very important to the government, it’s important to our future, so we’ll send out senior ministers, but that’s yet to be decided who’s going to go.’Asked if he would like to see Mr Sunak attend the summit, he said: ‘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.’Rishi Sunak could go to Cop27 climate summit, minister Mark Spencer saysLiam James31 October 2022 08:251667203595Liz Truss’s trips abroad as foreign secretary and international trade minister saw her make demands resembling a rock star ‘rider’, according to a new biography of the ex-prime minister (Adam Forrest writes).Labour has questioned expenses claims made on behalf of Ms Truss for her overseas travel following extracts from the book Out of the Blue: the Inside Story of the Unexpected Rise and Rapid Fall of Liz Truss.Ms Truss asked bottle of sauvignon blanc in the fridge of any accommodation, and wanted Bagels or sushi for lunch – with ‘absolutely no mayonnaise on anything, ever’.Truss demanded chilled white wine and ‘absolutely no mayonnaise on anything’, according to new book Liam James31 October 2022 08:061667202519Rishi Sunak is reconsidering his decision not to attend the Cop 27 climate conference in Egypt, a minister said, in what would be the first big U-turn of his premiership.The prime minister said he would not attend due to the need to deal with domestic econonic woes, but critics, some in the Tory party, said he was sending the message that Britain was not committed to global leadership on climate change.But Mark Spencer, the farming minister, hinted at a U-turn, saying Mr Sunak would attend the summit – starting on 6 November – if ‘he’s able to get through’ his other work.Rishi Sunak is considering attending the Cop27 climate summit if he has time, a minister says, in what would be the first big U-turn of his premiership.Liam James31 October 2022 07:481667200500Boris Johnson is reportedly planning to attend Cop27, as criticism of Rishi Sunak’s snub of the key climate event grows.Downing Street confirmed this week the new Prime Minister will not be in Egypt for the summit, as he was prioritising the autumn budget instead.That decision has been widely denounced, with claims it shows a ‘lack of leadership’ on such a significant global issue.Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:Prime Minister’s lack of attendance has been branded a ‘lack of leadership’ ahead of a gathering of world figures for the climate summit Namita Singh31 October 2022 07:151667199600Rishi Sunak has been accused of a ‘deeply troubling’ decision in appointing Maria Caulfield – a former officer of the all-party parliamentary pro-life group – to the post.The Lewes MP has previously come under fire for arguing babies born at as little as 18 weeks ‘grow up to live long, healthy lives like the rest of us’, a claim dismissed as ‘simply untrue’.Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:Maria Caulfield also voted against legalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland and was officer of pro-life groupNamita Singh31 October 2022 07:001667198700Labour retains a huge lead over the Tories amid economic turmoil. Adam Forrest looks at whether the new PM can shift voters’ perception of the ‘pampered pooch’ at No 10.Labour retains a huge lead over the Tories amid economic turmoil. Adam Forrest looks at whether the new PM can shift voters’ perception of the ‘pampered pooch’ at No 10 Namita Singh31 October 2022 06:451667197800Two in three Britons want a general election now, according to a new poll as pressure builds on new prime minister Rishi Sunak to call a snap vote and attempt to win his own mandate.Britain’s latest Conservative PM – the third in three months – has said he will not seek approval for his agenda, citing the Tories’ 2019 general election won under Boris Johnson.But a new survey has found that 64 per cent of voters – including half of 2019 Tory voters – say Mr Sunak should call a general election.Read the details in this report: New survey shows highest level of support for national vote since mini-Budget turmoilNamita Singh31 October 2022 06:301667196900Conservative MPs have joined calls for an investigation into a bombshell report that Liz Truss’s phone was hacked by Russian spies, as the government was accused of failing to take national security seriously enough.Cabinet minister Michael Gove declined to deny the report that the former prime minister’s personal phone was hacked when she was foreign secretary – but insisted the government has ‘very robust protocols’ in place.One leading security expert told The Independent that it was time for a judicial inquiry into the security of government communications – describing the use of personal phones as a ‘total mess’.Handling of security ‘not good enough’, says former Army chief – as top expert calls for judicial inquiryNamita Singh31 October 2022 06:151667196000Rishi Sunak was right to reappoint ‘first-rate’ Suella Braverman as home secretary, said Michael Gove, confronted with an email she sent asking someone to delete a message that broke security rules.The levelling-up secretary defended the prime minister’s controversial decision to bring Ms Braverman into cabinet only six days after she was sacked for a security breach.Asked if the PM was right to hand her the role, Mr Gove told Sky News: ‘Yes. Suella is a first-rate, front-rank politician. She has acknowledged the mistake that has been made.’Adam Forrest reports the details: Home secretary ‘deserves second chance’, says minister shown her email on live TVNamita Singh31 October 2022 06:001667195100Rishi Sunak has helped his party begin a fightback in approval ratings in his first week as prime minister, a new poll claims.Opinium’s latest poll shows that Labour’s lead has dropped six points from 27 to 16, while the Tories have gained five back.Keir Starmer’s Labour now commands the support of 44 per cent of voters, compared to 28 per cent backing the Conservatives. While that would still result in a comfortable Labour win if replicated at a future general election, it represents a change in fortunes following Liz Truss’s doomed premiership.My colleague Aisha Rimi reports: Latest poll shows sharp improvement for the Conservatives after a huge plunge under Liz Truss Namita Singh31 October 2022 05:45Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalismBy registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalistsAlready have an account? sign inRegistration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalismBy registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalistsAlready have an account? sign inRishi SunakCop27Liz TrussRory Arnold/Downing StreetPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in