Boris Johnson has sparked alarm in Downing Street by planning to travel to Egypt to mix with world leaders at Cop27, it is claimed.
The former PM is said to be considering attending the crunch summit on the climate crisis, which Rishi Sunak says he does not have time for.
Mr Johnson, who last weekend abandoned his efforts to become PM again, is claimed to be attending to show his support for the battle against climate change.
But if he does go it would cause a huge headache for Mr Sunak, who has been heavily criticised after saying he will not be going.
Mr Johnson is said to be weighing up attending in what is likely to be seen as a challenge to the new PM, who only took office on Tuesday.
Sources told The Guardian that Mr Johnson, who dramatically pulled out of the Tory leadership race last week, paving the way for Mr Sunak to become PM, is considering going.
It suggests that the disgraced ex-Prime Minister could be trying to keep his profile high on the world stage to support a further leadership charge in the future.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has insisted the Government will "field the strongest possible team" for the Cop27 climate summit after Rishi Sunak said he will not attend.
The Levelling Up Secretary told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: "When it comes to attendance at Cop, I know that across Government we want to field the strongest possible team at Cop, but there are strong pressures on the Prime Minister's diary."
Asked why the King is also not going to the summit, Mr Gove said he would "avoid answering that question".
He said: "I don't want to be drawn into matters relating to where the King is, where he should go.
"But we will be fielding the strongest possible team at Cop."
Mr Sunak has been heavily criticised after announcing he will not attend the summit, which will see world leaders discuss how to tackle the climate crisis.
"The Prime Minister is not expected to attend the summit in Egypt due to other pressing domestic commitments, including preparations for the autumn statement," a Downing Street spokesperson said.
"The UK will be fully represented by other senior ministers, as well as COP President Alok Sharma."
Ed Miliband, Labour's shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero, fumed: "This is a massive failure of climate leadership. We were the COP26 hosts and now the UK Prime Minister isn't even bothering to turn up to COP27.
“What Rishi Sunak obviously fails to understand is that tackling the climate crisis isn't just about our reputation and standing abroad, but the opportunities for lower bills, jobs, and energy security it can deliver at home.
The Cabinet Office today said it will not comment on who is attending.
A spokesperson told The Mirror: “The Government is absolutely committed to supporting COP27 and leading international action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
“The UK will be fully represented by senior ministers, including the Foreign, Business and Environment Secretaries as well as COP President Alok Sharma.
"They will be working to ensure that countries continue to make progress on the ground-breaking commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow.”
The Mirror has contacted representatives for Mr Johnson.
