Liam Fox accused of 'staggering' ignorance after appearing to legitimise climate change denial

Cabinet minister later clarified remarks after coming under fire for suggesting the science was up for debate

Liam Fox has been accused of "staggering" ignorance after he appeared to legitimise climate change denial in the wake of widespread environmental protests.

The international trade secretary was forced to row back after he told MPs that even those who did not accept the "current scientific consensus" on climate change should consider how resources are used.

His remarks were denounced by Labour as providing "weasel excuses for climate deniers", and sit at odds with environment secretary Michael Gove's promise to meet climate activists from Extinction Rebellion, who have held protests across London.

Speaking in the Commons, Dr Fox said: “It’s important that we take climate issues seriously.

“Whether or not individuals accept the current scientific consensus on the causes of climate change, it is sensible for everyone to use finite resources in a responsible way."

Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said his comments were "not acceptable behaviour from a cabinet minister".

"It is shameful that in the week when a sixteen year old school child has educated MPs with such clarity about the climate emergency we face, we have a cabinet minister showing confusion and ignorance on such a staggering scale," he said.

“The government needs to act with the urgency that the science demands, not provide weasel excuses for climate deniers."

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat climate change spokesperson, echoed his concerns over the government acting as "apologists for climate change denial".

She said: “In a week where protesters have filled the streets of London and activist Greta Thunberg has visited parliament, it is outrageous that Liam Fox is now legitimising those who deny climate change.”

Dr Fox later clarified the comments, which had already been circulated widely by the Department for International Trade (DIT).

In a tweet, he said: "I have always taken environmental issues extremely seriously. The state of our planet should concern us all.

"There is a clear scientific consensus on climate change, which I fully respect. Even those who don't accept it should want to see our finite resources carefully managed."

The row comes after days of protests by climate change activists Extinction Rebellion, who spent Thursday targeting London's financial districts for their protests.

Demonstrators temporarily blockaded the London Stock Exchange by gluing themselves across entrance, before other targeted the Treasury in Westminster.