Meacher banned in Earth summit farce

Britain's participation at this month's Earth Summit in Johannesburg descended into farce today amid claims that environment minister Michael Meacher had been blocked from attending by Downing Street.

Mr Meacher, one of the Government's few experts on climate change, was said to be furious after being told not to go because No10 feared "junketing" charges.

While he is expected to stay in Britain, the UK's 70-strong delegation will include four Cabinet ministers - Tony Blair, John Prescott, Margaret Beckett and Clare Short. A tersesounding-Mr Meacher refused to comment-today. Opposition parties, meanwhile, upped the stakes by claiming the British visit to South Africa appeared much more of a junket without Mr Meacher.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the final delegates' list had not been approved yet. However, she confirmed that Mr Blair was going and said it was "expected" that Mr Prescott, Mrs Beckett and Ms Short would be in the party. "These four can cover a wide range of policy," she said.

Mr Meacher, it was claimed, had fallen victim to a campaign by communications director Alastair Campbell to whittle down the 100-strong delegation. Mr Campbell, sensitive to Tory charges of over-spending, is thought to have originally tried to axe Mr Prescott, only for the Deputy Prime Minister to be hurriedly reinstated after furious protests to Mr Blair.

Mr Meacher was deemed expendable because his boss, Environment Secretary Mrs Beckett, was going. But he is one of the most fully briefed ministers in any western nation on climate issues.

David Davis, Mr Prescott's Tory opposite number, said: "In a summit that is meant to be helping the world's poor, is it really sensible for the Government to be spending £600,000 to send nearly 100 politicos and bureaucrats on this five-star trip?

"How can the Government expect to be taken seriously on green issues when they are leaving the responsible environment minister at home?"

? Friends of the Earth today offered Mr Meacher a place in its delegation, footing the £2,000 bill.