MPs to get scientific briefing on climate after activist’s hunger strike

Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, will address MPs about the climate crisis.

During his 37 day hunger strike, Rose demanded that the scientific adviser give a public address to MPs and ministers about the climate crisis.

Vallance ended his hunger strike after the all-party parliamentary group on climate change said it would host him for an address on the issue, which would be sent to all MPs after the event.

A spokesman for the group told Rose that they would be happy to host a briefing on climate change for MPs and cabinet members from the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. The event would be held in the new parliamentary session, which is expected to start in May-June.

A date for the briefing will be set shortly, according to representatives of Caroline Lucas.

Rose wanted Vallance to address a parliament committee instead of a televised cabinet meeting, but he said he was happy with the outcome.

A group of scientists, including the former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King, wrote a letter in support of his demands.

Rose was admitted to the hospital as a precautionary measure. He said he was weak and dizzy after standing for so long without food.

Many parliamentarians seem unaware of the frightening implications of the climate crisis; though the information is available to them, there has been no system in place to ensure they engage and understand it. This has been so frustrating. My hope is that if MPs understand the science, they will act quickly.

The prime minister was briefed on the science of the climate emergency by Vallance. Johnson said it had been his moment on climate science. He told reporters that government scientists had run through it all and that it was very hard to dispute.

Rose and others have asked for the briefings to be made public and for ministers to be informed of the science.

The hunger striker said he was inspired by the Swiss man who claimed a victory after 39 days of hunger strike when scientists announced they would meet Swiss MPs to discuss climate science.