A Monster energy drink and bowling: On the general election campaign trail with Rishi Sunak
After a bumpy start to the Tory election campaign, day six has been somewhat smoother for Rishi Sunak.
That’s not to say the Conservative election machine isn’t on the lookout for potential missteps though.
During a TV interview in the changing room of a bowls club in Leicestershire, a hat was strategically placed to cover a name tag adorned with the blush-worthy surname “Glasscock”.
Rishi Sunak plays a game of bowls during a visit to Market Bosworth in Leicestershire. Pic: PA
Mr Sunak visits a homeware plant in Staffordshire. Pic: Reuters
While at a homeware factory in Staffordshire, a Tory aide spotted and swiftly removed a can of Monster energy drink from a worktop where the prime minister was about to inspect some ceramics.
General election latest: Starmer gives blunt response on potentially rejoining EU
Amid a slanging match over leaders taking ‘duvet days’ early in the campaign, a photo of the Tory leader next to a giant caffeine-stuffed beverage is probably not the message the party wants to send out.
A Q&A session with staff at the factory caused little controversy.
Mr Sunak’s plan for a revamped national service came in for praise with one woman saying her two older sons would benefit from it, before adding in a brutally frank fashion “but they are more brawn than brains”.
A man who proclaimed himself the “number one forklift truck driver” asked if there could be an extra Bank Holiday for St George’s Day.
A question deftly dodged by the visiting politician.
After being drenched while announcing the election, the rain even cleared just in time for the prime minister to play a game of bowls with some pensioners in Market Bosworth.
Read more:
General Election poll tracker: Will Labour or the Conservatives win?
What was Labour’s deputy leader accused of?
Pic: PA
With a backdrop of bunting and portraits of the late Queen, this should be safe Tory territory – especially for a leader promising tax cuts for retirees.
And to be fair, he was met with a cheer when he entered the clubhouse.
But speaking to members after – a familiar sense of inevitability started to emerge.
Pic: Reuters
One man said Mr Sunak seemed a decent enough man before adding “but the country wants change… the Labour Party have got things together just as the Tories have fallen apart”.
Back on the bowling green, things started looking up for the prime minister.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
After a couple of ropey throws of his specially selected blue bowls, Mr Sunak eventually turned things around and ended up clinching victory.
Insert your political parallels here.
But it’s worth saying that only happened after the local Tory MP knocked club president Brenda’s bowl out of play.
A backbencher coming to the prime minister’s rescue. There’s something you don’t see much of nowadays.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
Read more from Sky News:
Ten Reform councillors quit in protest
Liz Truss sends cease and desist letter to Starmer
As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway