Labour today attacked a close ally of Boris Johnson for "cosying up" to Brazil's government while the Amazon rainforest burns.

Conor Burns has been on an official trip to the South American country, where two days ago he was pictured clinking a glass of bubbly with the government.

The Trade Minister praised Deputy Economy Minister Marcos Troyjo, who has defended far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's policies on deforestation in the Amazon, as "superb" on Twitter .

Mr Burns said the pair had discussed "increasing trade and prosperity" between Britain and Brazil after Brexit .

But as of 11.30am today he had not yet tweeted about the record wildfires sweeping the country - up 84% over the same period in 2018.

French President Emmanuel Macron last night demanded the issue tops the agenda at this weekend's G7 summit saying: "Our house is burning."

(Image: Xinhua/REX)

Shadow Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner said: "While Bolsonaro lets agribusinesses burn the Amazon, this week a UK Government minister has been busy cosying up to the Brazilian President's officials.

"Instead of posing for photographs with far-right Brazilian politicians, ministers should be calling on Brazil to do everything they can to protect the rainforest.

"The Government must insist that Brazil honours environmental clauses in existing trade agreements and fulfils their commitments under the Paris Agreement."

A Department for International Trade source claimed Mr Burns, who is now in Chile, had "raised environmental concerns in every meeting he has been in" since arriving in South America.

(Image: REUTERS)

A spokesman for the UK government said: "We are deeply saddened by the increase in fires in the Amazon Rainforest. The impact of the tragic loss of these precious habitats will be felt around the world.

“The UK remains committed to protecting the world’s rainforests and will continue to do so in Brazil through our International Climate Finance programmes.

“In meetings with the Brazilian government, Minister Conor Burns raised the UK’s commitment to environmental protection and offered support to Brazil in the transition to renewable energy and a lower carbon economy.”

Amnesty International blamed the fires on the government of Brazil, a vast country that contains about 60% of the Amazon rainforest.

The likes of singer Madonna, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton have spoken out about the fires raging in the rainforest.

(Image: Miguel Schincariol)

The British racing car driver said: "More than a soccer field is being destroyed every minute everyday, the world needs to come together and help."

But far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly said he believes Brazil should open the Amazon up to business interests, to allow mining, agricultural and logging companies to exploit its natural resources.

On Wednesday, he blamed non-governmental organisations for setting the fires - without providing evidence that was true.

He appeared to row back on Thursday, when he said for the first time that farmers could be behind the fires.

Overnight he turned his fire on G7 members who he accused of meddling in his country's affairs.

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He said on Facebook : "These countries that send money here, they don't send it out of charity.

"They send it with the aim of interfering with our sovereignty."