FOSSIL FUELS AID RISE OF RISHI

Questions over PM's commitment to climate action

- JOHN SIDDLE

DONORS with fossil fuel links helped fund Rishi Sunak's race for No 10.

Over a quarter of the £530,000 donated to the new Prime Minister this year was from supporters with interests in oil, gas and aviation.

It raised fresh questions over Mr Sunak's commitment to tackling climate change and put his refusal to attend COP27 next month under the spotlight.

Shadow Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband blasted: "He's on the side of big oil and gas companies, not the British people." 

RISHI Sunak accepted from fossil fuel investors in his race for No10, it emerged as questions escalated over the Prime Minister's commitment to tackling climate change.

Mr Sunak accepted donations totalling £141,000 this year from supporters with oil and gas ties.

Many of the payments were for his failed Ready4Rishi summer leadership bid against Liz Truss.

He also accepted the use of carbon-spewing private jets for campaign meet-and-greets.

After taking over from Ms Truss this week the new PM said he will be "too busy" to go to next month's COP27 climate summit in Egypt - which it is believed his predecessor had planned to attend.

He has reportedly upheld her advice to the King not to go, and has axed COP president Alok Sharma's seat in Cabinet.

Lib Dem climate spokesman Wera Hobhouse said: "It seems Rishi Sunak's road to Downing Street was bankrolled by donors with links to fossil fuels. No wonder he's failing to take climate change and the transition to net zero seriously.