Barbecues on dry grass ‘insane’, says PM after ban call

BORIS JOHNSON said yesterday using disposable barbecues on dry grass was “clearly insane” as MPS pushed for a ban on them after a spate of wildfires.

Caroline Nokes, a Conservative former minister, asked at Prime Minister’s Questions if Mr Johnson would take action to limit fires by outlawing the barbecues and Chinese sky lanterns.

Dry grass was ignited across the country on Tuesday as the UK recorded its hottest day in history, with temperatures rising above 40C.

Ms Nokes said: “Will my right honourable friend take action to make sure more fires can be prevented by getting rid of disposable barbecues and Chinese sky lanterns?”

The Prime Minister said: “I think the key thing is for people to behave responsibly first with the use of these things. It’s clearly insane to take a disposable barbecue on to dry grass.”

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, speaking during Cop26 questions, asked Cop26 president Alok Sharma to “make it his objective to ban the sale of Chinese lanterns”, which she called “unguided flamethrowers”.