Boris Johnson attends Farnborough Air Show amid backlash over heatwave response

The outgoing prime minister is at Farnborough as he faces criticism for not leading Cobra meetings being held in response to extreme temperatures

Boris Johnson has arrived at Farnborough Air Show for one of his final public appearances as prime minister amid mounting criticism of his failure to lead Cobra meetings on the UK heatwave.

He is meeting some of the 1,500 exhibitors at one of the world’s biggest aerospace and defence trade shows, which opened in Hampshire today.

In a speech, Mr Johnson said: “I’m glad that I finally made it to Farnborough, this famous air show, in the climactic weeks of my time as Prime Minister.”

Mr Johnson will later meet British astronaut Tim Peake and Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency.

He will also view an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

The event usually takes place every two years, but the coronavirus pandemic means this is the first time it has been held since 2018.

Deals worth a total of £161 billion (192 billion US dollars) were agreed at the last show, according to organisers.

More than 80,000 visitors from 96 countries are expected to attend this week’s five-day event.

Much of the focus will be on commercial manufacturing giants Airbus and Boeing.

Mr Johnson is at Farnborough at a time when he is facing criticism for not leading Cobra meetings being held in response to extreme temperatures.

The Prime Minister is set to leave office in September following the election of a new Tory leader.

The House of Commons’ summer recess begins on Friday.