Climate change: Sacked climate chief 'may sue government'
The former head of this years vital climate summit may sue the UK government for sacking her, the BBC has learned. Claire ONeill, an ex-minister, was told by Downing Street that she couldnt chair the Glasgow meeting because she was no longer a minister. But sources close to Mrs ONeill say they think she was fired for criticising government failings. They say the process for the climate meeting was in disarray. The sources said different ministers were jockeying to lead the UN meeting, known as COP26, adding that the Prime Minister was out of touch. The conference is supposed to corral governments into improving their offers to avoid dangerous climate change by cutting emissions faster. This was always a mountain to climb, especially since President Donald Trump began the process of pulling the US out of the Paris climate agreement. A government spokesperson said preparations for the conference were going well, and that the meeting would be a success. But I understand that some of the basics still arent in place. It seems the meeting might even be switched away to London from Glasgow because security costs there are much higher. Im told the original total cost of the conference signed off by Cabinet was 250m. It is said now to be closer to 450m, with no agreed final budget. To compound the issue, the prime minister infuriated the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon by reportedly telling the Conservative conference he didnt want her "anywhere near the meeting. Scottish government sources insist that the venue is booked and they expect the summit to happen there as planned. Mrs ONeill has previously expressed the view that the conference needs an Olympics-style delivery body. Compared with the huge French diplomatic effort that brought about a surprisingly positive deal in Paris in 2015, the UKs preparations are lagging. The French had more than 200 diplomats working for years on the meeting. The UK has scrambled just over 100 for the task. Whats more, the challenge has been made more difficult because when Boris Johnson was Foreign Secretary he fired many of the UKs overseas climate change envoys. One source close to Mrs ONeill said: Boris doesnt really know anything about climate change. He pays lip service, but hasn't got a clue. He promised to chair a Cabinet committee on climate change but he hasnt even convened a meeting. Im told he has only discussed climate once in Cabinet. On that occasion, Mr Johnson didnt discuss policy, according to the source, but simply said he used to be a sceptic but isn't one anymore. There are others close to the government, though, who are unsurprised at Mrs ONeills departure. Sources said she derided some of the UKs most experienced climate diplomats because she thought they were moving too slowly and were tied to old and ineffective methods. Instead, she controversially brought in the Boston Consulting Group to advise her in meetings. She is said to have been exasperated at the pace of progress over an issue she considers to be vitally important, and is reported to have upset officials with her tone. Mrs O'Neill has previously described herself as a "crap diplomat but someone who gets things done". Some observers who oppose the UK's climate change laws have celebrated her demise, arguing that she echoed environmental groups too closely. But her departure leaves a big hole, with the conference set for November. I understand that Michael Gove is keen to oversee the project. Follow Roger on Twitter. Morocco rescuers dig with bare hands as foreign aid sent US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' A Serbian scientist's long quest to name Srebrenica's dead How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans. Video The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.