Tories attack Prescott trip to Bali

Downing Street was thrown on the defensive yesterday by the disclosure that John Prescott could lead a delegation of 40 to a beach resort in Bali at a cost to the taxpayer of at least £250,000.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, are expected to attend an international summit on the environment on the Indonesian island next month. The trip is designed as a preparatory meeting for the Earth Summit of world leaders in Johannesburg in September.

Tony Blair's official spokesman said: "John Prescott has not decided whether he is going to Bali or not. If he does go, it will be because of the need to make the summit in Johannesburg a success."

He confirmed that British government officials would attend the meeting.

David Cameron, the Tory MP for Witney, said: "John Prescott is meant to be saving the planet and instead he is costing the earth."