Boris Johnson launches vicious attack on Sunak as pressure piles on PM over net zero
Boris Johnson said businesses 'must have certainty about our Net Zero commitments'
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Boris Johnson has launched a direct attack on Rishi Sunak's latest net zero announcement, warning that Britain "cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country" on net zero.
He said that businesses "must have certainty about our net zero commitments".
This came after Sunak last night revealed that he would be watering down many of the Government's net zero pledges.
The PM is facing revolt from a section of his party after last night's revelation and will give a televised press conference at 4.30pm on the issue.
Johnson warned that Britain "cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country" on net zero
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The right-wing of the party is elated at the plans, saying the Government is "finally listening" - but many MPs have expressed serious doubts.
He had initially planned to give a speech announcing the policy changes on Friday, but has brought it forward after the plans were leaked to the media last night.
Hitting out at the plans, Johnson said: "Businesses must have certainty about our net zero commitments.
"This country leads on tackling climate change and creating new green technology.
"The green Industrial Revolution is already generating huge numbers of high-quality jobs and helping to drive up growth and level up our country.
"Business and Industry - such as motor manufacturing - are rightly making vast investments in these new technologies.
"It is crucial that we give these businesses confidence that government is still committed to net zero and can see the way ahead.
"We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country".
Senior Tory Zac Goldsmith also railed against Sunak, calling for an immediate General Election over the issue.
Goldsmith resigned from the Government earlier this year after the UK's climate advisors warned that they are now less confident in the UK's ability to deliver on its legally binding emissions goals than they were at the same time last year.
He accused Rishi Sunak of being “uninterested” in the environment.
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Senior Tory Zac Goldsmith also railed against Sunak, calling for an immediate General Election over the issue.
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Writing on X, the Tory peer and former MP said: "I have had 00s of messages from Conservative friends in Government, Parliament and around the world telling me this move by the Prime Minister vindicates my decision to noisily resign.
He added: "I didn’t want vindication. I hoped it would add pressure on the Government to prove me and others wrong. We need an election. Now."