No10 is seeking to cut Nicola Sturgeon out of the COP26 summit to prevent her using it as \u201can advert for an independence campaign\u201d, according to leaked messages.<\/p>\n
The Independent<\/em> reported that No 10 advisers and the Cabinet Office have been seeking to sideline the role of Scotland\u2019s first minister in the global gathering.<\/p>\n The newspaper saw meeting notes and WhatsApp messages related to COP26. According to these, strategists want to prevent the summit from becoming an \u201cadvert\u201d for Scottish independence.<\/p>\n The leaked messages suggest advisers are planning to keep prime minister Boris Johnson from sharing a platform with Sturgeon in the run-up to and during the event.<\/p>\n Johnson should \u201cneutralise\u201d the first minister by including other devolved leaders where possible, they said.<\/p>\n One adviser\u2019s message referring to Sturgeon read:<\/p>\n This can be labelled as a role for her [as one of the UK\u2019s leaders] but avoids her taking centre stage.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Another said:<\/p>\n We can\u2019t let this be used as an advert for an independence campaign.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The notes also document efforts to display the union flag as much as possible at the summit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Responding to the reports on Twitter, Sturgeon said:<\/p>\n All that matters is that COP26 delivers an outcome to meet the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.<\/p>\n We must work together and maximise contributions towards that.<\/span><\/p>\n Anyone \u2013 me or PM \u2013 who allowed politics to get in way would be abdicating that responsibility.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n COP26 is due to take place in Glasgow for two weeks from 31 October. The conference will see global leaders descend on the city.<\/p>\n By The Canary<\/a><\/p>\n\n This post was originally published on The Canary<\/a>. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The First Mintser responded by saying anyone who allows politics to get in the way of tackling climate change would be abdicating responsibility.<\/p>\n‘Neutralising’ Sturgeon<\/h5>\n
Who’s playing politics?<\/h5>\n