UK Chancellor claims G8 meetings benefitting from 'informal' nature
The G8 summit has a smart-casual dress code, George Osborne revealed today after eyebrows were raised at the British Prime Minister greeting world leaders in his rolled-up shirtsleeves.
David Cameron dispensed with his tie and jacket yesterday as he formally welcomed the rest of the group to a luxury golf resort beside Lough Erne in the North where the UK is hosting the annual gathering of leading industrialised nations.
The UK's Chancellor was quizzed about the look as he arrived to take part in discussions today about tax and appeared on television without his own tie.
But he insisted the “informal” nature of G8 gatherings was one of their strengths.
“Basically I am doing what I was asked to do, which is turn up in smart-casual wear,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“I have followed to the letter: I got out my jacket and my blue shirt.”
Mr Osborne said he had been struck – at what is his first visit to a G8 meeting - by the apparent informality.
“Despite the fuss that goes with having a conference like this, in spite of the huge media presence, actually when you get into the hotel it’s quite intimate and informal.
“This is actually an extraordinary opportunity to get things done where perhaps when things are more formal and people are in more entrenched positions that’s more difficult.”
The G8 leaders were all abiding by the ``smart-casual'' rule as they posed for the traditional summit family photo on the banks of Lough Erne.
There were no ties on display, as the leaders lined up in the sunshine in smart jackets and open-necked shirts.
