Alok Sharma was on Thursday named the new UK minister in charge of the crunch UN climate talks to be hosted by Britain this November.
Agra-born Sharma, promoted to the post of Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle, will take charge of the crucial summit ‘COP26’ as its former president was removed amid controversy just weeks ago.
Claire Perry O''Neill, a former energy minister, had openly criticised Johnson soon after her sacking, saying the UK prime minister “doesn’t really get” climate change.
Sharma, 52, has a tough role ahead of him as the man in charge of the UK’s climate strategy and also bringing about global consensus on some contentious issue around greenhouse gas emissions at the summit in Glasgow.
The conference plans also have been hit by tensions between London and the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh, led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a vocal Johnson critic who is demanding a new independence referendum.
"The Scottish government needs to work with us to make sure it is a successful summit," a Downing Street spokesperson said.
Sturgeon has insisted the two governments are working well together on COP but Sharma will undoubtedly face some political push and pull in this new complex post.
He steps into a role previously turned down by former Prime Minister David Cameron, who said he believed a member of the Cabinet should take on the role.
Sharma’s previous Cabinet position as Secretary of State for International Development, in charge of the Department for International Development (DfID), is seen as good grounding for the COP26 charge.
Previous COP summits have all tended to be led by the host government’s most prominent minister with a relevant portfolio, usually the environment minister.
Brought up in south-east England, the trained accountant and former banker has served in a number of junior ministerial roles since his entry into politics in 2010, including as fire minister.
The MP for Reading West was elevated to the Cabinet level as DfID minister by Johnson in July last year and has reportedly been promoted further as business minister because the government plans to modify DfID to work closer with the trade department.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)