FEARS that the biggest gathering of world leaders the UK has ever seen would be moved from Glasgow to somewhere in England have been dismissed.
It was suggested that the Prime Minister was considering moving the United Nations COP26 Climate Change summit from the city due to “ballooning costs” by the former head of the event, who was sacked.
Claire O’Neill, ex President of the COP 26 said Boris Johnson was allowing his “personal animosity” towards Nicola Sturgeon to put the event at risk.
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She said he had said he was considering moving it to an English location.
Wrangles between the UK and Scottish governments over sites for events close to the SEC where the event will be hosted have been revealed and issues with the policing costs and who picks up the bill have been raised.
The Scottish Government had intended taking over the Science Centre across the river for community and promotional events.
But the UK Government has also requested the use of the site for similar purposes.
Ms Sturgeon said she will not allow any political differences to get in the way of the event.
She has written to Boris Johnson stating the Scottish Government had requested the Science Centre to promote the efforts Scotland was making to tackle climate change.
she said that officials form both governments were now in discussions for the use of the centre, directly across the River Clyde from the venue.
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Last month a clip showing Boris Johnson at the Tory party conference saying he didn’t want Nicola Sturgeon at the summit
He said: “I don’t mind seeing a Saltire or two on that summit, but I want to see a union flag - I don’t want to see Nicola Sturgeon anywhere near it.”
The United Nations will take control of an area around the SEC on the north of the river and the site will become international territory for the even in November this year.
At a launch of the event yesterday Ms Johnson said: “In the hurricanes and the bush fires and the melting of the ice caps and the acidification of the oceans the evidence is ow overwhelming.”
Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, who was in London for the launch, said Mr Johnson confirmed it will take place in Glasgow.
She tweeted: “At this morning’s COP26 launch Boris Johnson unequivocally confirms the event will be in Glasgow. And Much more importantly Sir David Attenborough said it too, twice.
“Time now to make sure COP 26 delivers the outcomes the planet needs. Glasgow is ready.”
The Scottish Government said it has had no notification of any intention to move COP from Glasgow.
A spokesman said: “COP26 is hugely important for tackling the climate crisis and that must be the focus. A new President should be appointed immediately to make real progress in building the relationships that will be needed within the UK, and around the world, to deliver a successful outcome from the conference.”
As many as 30,000 delegates will be in the city for he event with thousands more form other organisations and media expected.
The leaders of the world will be in the city for the event which takes place between November 9 and 20.
At the Cop 21 in Paris, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin attended.
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