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The king has been told not to attend the crucial Cop27 climate summit, No 10 says – despite a cabinet minister claiming it is up to the monarch whether to go. Rishi Sunak’s spokesman confirmed that Liz Truss had effectively banned him from traveling to Egypt next month and that it remains in place. “It was unanimously agreed that this would not be an appropriate occasion for the King to visit,” he said, adding: “I am not aware that this advice has changed.” John Kerry, the US climate envoy, urged Downing Street to reconsider the bar for the king to attend Cop27, pointing to his long history of environmental campaigning. The call came after Mr Sunak – amid widespread criticism – announced he would skip the event due to what No 10 called “pressing domestic commitments”. The prime minister must prepare for the de facto budget which has been delayed until November 17, when massive spending cuts and tax rises will be unveiled, Downing Street said. Earlier, Environment Minister Therese Coffey caused surprise by dismissing Cop27 as “just a gathering of people in Egypt”. He also described the UK-hosted Cop26 in Glasgow as a “success” – despite failing to put the world on a path to keeping temperature rise below 1.5C. Ms Coffey also argued on whether the King should go: “I think it’s up to him. I know he’s interested in this particular issue, but it’s up to him.” But Downing Street confirmed that the previous prime minister had intervened to keep the King out of Egypt, as reported earlier this month. “As is normal practice, government advice was sought and provided under a previous Prime Minister and it was unanimously agreed that it would not be an appropriate occasion for the King to visit in person,” he said. “I am not aware that this advice has changed, but obviously any confirmation of the king’s travel would be for the palace.” Asked whether Downing Street would reopen the conversation with the palace – now Mr Sunak is not attending – the spokeswoman reiterated she was unaware of the change in advice. Nadine Dorries became the first Conservative MP to criticize Mr Sunak’s decision, tweeting: “Prime Minister is wrong not to go to COP. Global warming is the biggest crisis facing our planet and net zero creates many 1000s of jobs which is good for the economy.” But speaking on a visit to a London hospital, Mr Sunak denied a failure of leadership, claiming: “The leadership we have shown on climate is unmatched almost anywhere in the world.” He added: “It is important to me, as prime minister, that we leave behind an environment that is better for our children and grandchildren. I am very passionate about it. I am very personally committed to it. “I just think it’s right at this time that I also focus on the depressing domestic challenges we have with the economy. I think that’s what people watching would reasonably expect me to do as well.”
