The former deputy prime minister, Lord Prescott, has accused rich nations, such as the US and Canada, of trying to scupper the international talks on climate change in South Africa. Lord Prescott, who was involved in the talks that led to the Kyoto agreement in 1997, says attempts to reach a new deal will fail because of what calls "a conspiracy against the poor".

Lord Prescott, who is the European Council's rapporteur on climate change, told Today presenter John Humphrys that "It's appalling. I'm ashamed of some countries not recognising their responsibilities."

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