Sir Alex was among a list of 150 high-level ‘climate leaders’ selected by the maker of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ to attend seminars in Cambridge earlier this week. Those enlisted will be trained in how to present their own versions of Mr Gore’s self proclaimed ‘slideshow’ presentation.

“I hope that you will be first of many deeply concerned citizens who will receive this training in the UK and spread the message to deal with this looming threat to our planet, neighbours and way of life,” wrote the former US Vice President to his potential delegates, including Charles Dunstone, chief executive of Carphone Warehouse, and Vivienne Cox, chief executive of BP. Representatives from Shell, Barclays, Unilever and the BBC were also sent invitations.

Over the two day seminar the delegates first watched Mr Gore give the note free presentation at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. They then reconvened the following day to exchange tips on how to recreate the lecture for their specific audiences.

Each of those attending pledged to present the show at least once and promised to regroup in a year to share their experiences.

The senior politician has so far successfully equipped nearly 1,000 ‘climate leaders’ in the US and Australia.