DOWNING Street refused to apologise after COP26 attendees faced hours-long waits to enter the venue in Glasgow.
Journalists on social media said access to the SEC has taken up to two hours after more than 25,000 people descended on Scotland’s largest city for the international climate talks.
Officials said the UK Government was working with the UN and operational staff.
Asked if the chaotic scenes were embarrassing for the UK, a No 10 spokesman said: “The security arrangements and accreditation for Cop are mandated by the UN and managed in partnership between the UN and Cop26 operational staff.
“You will be aware that there are thousands of delegates arriving on site each day and we are working closely with our partners like the UN FCC to minimise wait times as much as possible during busy times whilst we ensure we keep safe entry for those who wish to access the site.”
A reminder the UK did have an entire extra year of planning time... now the Prime Minister is already saying it’s a failure and attendees can’t even get in the doors https://t.co/4XG8gzLpak
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) November 1, 2021
Asked if the UK would apologise, the spokesman said: “We are working closely with the UN and Cop operational staff.”
Pictures show hundreds of people waiting outside the main gates to the venue.
Delegates have to go through airport style security once inside.
Over the next two weeks of the conference, 120 dignitaries and heads of state are set to attend the UN event which has been billed as vital in stopping climate change and rising global temperatures.
The summit was originally scheduled to go ahead in 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic.
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