The UK’s leading environmental organisations have written to Chancellor George Osborne following reports that he views parliamentary climate change campaigners as the ‘environmental Taliban’.

The letter from Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth; John Sauven, Executive Director of Greenpeace; Mike Clarke, Chief Executive of RSPB and David Nussbaum, Chief Executive of WWF-UK.

Dear Chancellor,

We are writing in response to the report in today's Independent newspaper that you have referred to parliamentary climate campaigners as the "environmental Taliban".

We would be most grateful if you could confirm or deny the story, as it appeared in the newspaper.

If the story is accurate, please could you be specific about which individuals, MPs, Ministers or organisations you are likening to the Taliban.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
 
1.    'The environmental Taliban': George Osborne slams Parliamentary climate change campaigners as Treasury fights to water down Energy Bill commitments, read the origional article here.