A GREEN MP has described a party colleague's decision to fly to a climate convention as an "error of judgement" as fallout over his trip continues.

Caroline Lucas MP went to COP26 by train - while councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty took a plane.

The Green MP reiterated that the incident was "a matter for Phelim himself" amid calls for him to resign as leader of Brighton and Hove City Council.

In a statement, she told The Argus: "This is a matter for Phelim himself.

"He has already apologised and acknowledged that it was an error of judgement on his part."

It comes after The Argus revealed Cllr Mac Cafferty took a plane from London to the event on the same day he criticised the government for a "lack of action" over climate change.

After completing the 460-mile journey, Cllr Mac Cafferty made a speech on cutting carbon emissions.

He also appeared at a protest march calling for world leaders to stop temperatures rising.

The council leader has since unreservedly apologised for taking flight for around 1 hour 20 minutes - saying he had been worried his train might be cancelled.

Cllr Mac Cafferty said: “On the Friday evening just gone, I took a flight from London to Glasgow to attend COP26 where I had been invited to represent the city at a presentation of the Glasgow Declaration on Saturday morning.

“This decision to fly was a major failure of my judgement which goes against my political group’s pledges and principles and I unreservedly apologise.

The Argus: Caroline Lucas MPCaroline Lucas MP

“I reluctantly took this very difficult decision because I was concerned about the unreliability of the rail network following the well-publicised difficulties experienced by many people wanting to travel by train to Glasgow the week before, when trains were cancelled.

“I was concerned that this would happen again and I felt it was important not to miss the opportunity to attend the important presentation on behalf of the city, lobby world leaders and share with others the innovative work taking place in Brighton and Hove.

“I paid for my own transport and all associated costs. I am not getting paid for any of the speeches I am making or meetings I am attending and I am otherwise working from Glasgow.

“Transport contributes a large portion of carbon emissions, all significant journeys we make have an effect on our climate. I will be offsetting the carbon cost of my journey.

“I will be taking my return journey on train. Again, I apologise unreservedly.”