COP26: David Cameron ‘turned down Boris Johnson offer to head UN climate summit’

William Hague also reportedly sounded out for presidency role

David Cameron has reportedly turned down the offer of heading the UK's preparations for the COP26 summit (Getty Images)

Former prime minister David Cameron has turned down an offer from Boris Johnson to head the UK’s preparations for a crucial international climate summit in Glasgow, it is claimed.

The current PM asked his predecessor to be the president of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) but was rejected, the Daily Telegraph reported.

According to The Times, former Tory leader William Hague was also sounded out for the presidency.

The disclosure comes after Mr Johnson refused to answer questions about who would take on the job during the event's launch on Tuesday.

Former clean growth minister Claire O'Neill, who stood down as a Tory MP at the general election, was sacked as president of the talks by the PM's special adviser, Dominic Cummings, on Friday.

The Government said the post would be a ministerial role in future.

The UN climate talks, to be held in Glasgow in November, are the most important since the Paris Agreement to curb global warming was secured in 2015.

Countries are expected to deliver more ambitious domestic plans for cutting greenhouse gases by 2030, as current proposals are not enough to prevent dangerous temperature rises.

Pressure is also on countries to set out long-term plans for cutting emissions, with the science now clear that the world must reduce greenhouse gases to zero in a matter of decades to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The run-up to the talks will require a major diplomatic effort from the UK to secure ambitious climate action from countries - at a time when Britain is also negotiating trade agreements with the EU and other nations.

Press Association