Lord Zac Goldsmith, a Conservative peer, has stepped down from his ministerial position following accusations of undermining a parliamentary investigation into Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Privileges Committee identified Lord Goldsmith as one of ten Tories involved in a campaign to interfere with the inquiry.
In his resignation statement, Lord Goldsmith expressed his reasons for leaving the post of minister for the international environment, citing the government’s lack of action and “apathy” regarding climate change. He further criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, stating that he appeared “uninterested” in environmental matters.
While acknowledging the progress made by the UK under the leadership of his close ally, Mr. Johnson, Lord Goldsmith voiced his concern over the government’s abandonment of animal welfare policies and the stagnation of environmental efforts within the country. He highlighted the UK’s diminishing global leadership on climate change and nature conservation, emphasizing the absence of the UK from key international forums.
Lord Goldsmith’s resignation letter specifically mentioned Mr Sunak’s choice to attend a media baron’s party instead of an important environmental summit in Paris, which the UK would typically co-lead. This decision, in Lord Goldsmith’s view, exemplified the country’s retreat from the world stage.
The departure of Lord Goldsmith marks a significant loss for the government, given his extensive experience and expertise in environmental issues.
