GREEN COUNCILLOR RED-FACED OVER FLIGHTS

A GREEN Party council leader flew from Gatwick to Glasgow to protest against climate change at COP26, it has emerged.

Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, ( left) head of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Green group, took the 80-minute flight on the day he criticised the Government for a lack of climate change action.

After the 460-mile journey, Cllr Mac Cafferty made a speech on cutting carbon emissions and appeared at a protest march, led by Greta Thunberg, calling for leaders to stop temperatures rising.

Mac Cafferty says he was worried his train might be cancelled. He said: “This decision to fly was a major failure of my judgement which goes against my political group’s pledges and principles and I unreservedly apologise.

“I was concerned about the unreliability of the rail network following the well-publicised difficulties experienced by many people wanting to travel by train to Glasgow the week before, when trains were cancelled.

“I was concerned that this would happen again and I felt it was important not to miss the opportunity to attend the important presentation on behalf of the city, lobby world leaders and share with others the innovative work taking place in Brighton and Hove.

“I paid for my own transport and all associated costs. I am not getting paid for any of the speeches I am making or meetings I am attending and I am otherwise working from Glasgow.

“I will be offsetting the carbon cost of my journey.

“I will be taking my return journey on train. Again, I apologise unreservedly.”