Why voters will see Sunak as weak leader over his handling of Zahawi tax affairs row

Ministers will emphasise the pace at which this investigation into Nadhim Zahawi was carried out and the speed Rishi Sunak reacted to that and sacked his chairman.

But be in no doubt, this whole affair raises questions about the prime minister’s judgement.

Firstly, did Rishi Sunak look hard enough into allegations around Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs when he appointed him to his cabinet?

Stories about the now ex-chairman’s business background have swirled around Westminster for months.

While Downing Street denies any formal red flags were raised, it’s fair to ask whether a prime minister who promised to bring integrity back to government should have been more proactive in establishing the facts before making this appointment.

Secondly, should Rishi Sunak have acted more quickly in commissioning the ethics adviser inquiry after more specific concerns were raised in the last fortnight?

Remember, it was just 11 days ago that the prime minister told MPs in the Commons that Nadhim Zahawi had addressed all the issues in full.

Thirdly, should Rishi Sunak have sacked Nadhim Zahawi straight away rather than waiting for the ethics adviser’s report?

Downing Street will emphasise the need for due process, but at the point Nadhim Zahawi admitted to paying a tax penalty while chancellor, it seemed clear to many that he had committed a sackable offence.

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Zahawi ‘removed from position’ over ‘serious breach of ministerial code’

The risk is the prime minister is putting process above politics

Rather than recognising his desire to stick to the rule book, voters just see a weak leader who was only willing sack this popular minister when he absolutely had to.