BORIS JOHNSON was accused of showing contempt for the public today after he missed a third Cobra meeting on the heatwave emergency to open an arms fair instead. 

Mr Johnson’s appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire could have been one of his final public appearances as Prime Minister. 

Most widely known for its aircraft displays, the event also sees weapons marketed to international delegations, with this year’s prospective buyers including the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Morocco and Turkey.

In a rambling 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.”

His decision to skip a third Cobra meeting on the heatwave crisis, which has been declared a national emergency, triggered a Labour jibe that he has already “clocked off” as PM. 

Peace campaigners accused him of prioritising his “friends” in the global arms industry over addressing the urgent problems faced by the British public as temperatures hit record highs. 

“The government'’ contempt for the British public could not be clearer,” said Peace Pledge Union campaigns manager Symon Hill.

“On what is set to be the hottest ever day in the UK, the Prime Minister has chosen to support his mates in arms companies rather than address an emergency affecting the everyday lives of people in the UK and around the world. 

“Militarism has no answers to the climate emergency, the cost-of-living crisis or the other dangers threatening us all.”

The PPU, which has joined other groups in organising protest at the air show, described the event as a “shop window for arms companies, allowing them to market their products to representatives of regimes from around the world.”

Deals worth a total of £161 billion were agreed at the last show, according to organisers.

According to reports, Mr Johnson missed a Cobra meeting at the weekend to host a party at Chequers, his official country retreat. 

Responding to the his absence, shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy said yesterday: “We think the government ought to do a number of things: first is to turn up to work.”