Watch: Rishi Sunak crumbles & can’t hide anger under questioning

Rishi Sunak‘s anger as he denied being an absent PM and couldn’t answer questions over Russian money entering UK.

The PM faced questions on cost of living pressures and the state of public services as he came under scrutiny from senior MPs on the Liaison Committee.

Sunak defended missing votes on potential punishments for Boris Johnson and the former minister Owen Paterson, in tense exchanges with Chris Bryant.

The PM also seemed to signal he won’t stop Liz Truss having resignation honours list.

Russian money

Bryant asked Sunak: “Do you think UK businesses should still be trading in Russia at all?”

Chris Bryant – Do you think UK businesses should still be trading in Russia at all?

Rishi Sunak – UK businesses should be following all the sanctions legislation..

Chris Bryant – You took £5m from the owner of a company that sold new diggers to Russia,in April, this year.. pic.twitter.com/xD8ekxuU4T

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) July 4, 2023

Quizzed by Chris Bryant as part of a grilling by the liaison committee, Sunak defended his plan to miss the next two prime minister’s questions.

Sunak also said he hasn’t read a report which is a massive three pages long…

Chris asked: “The Privileges Committee has accused seven MPs of trying to undermine and impugn its work. The leader of the House has condemned this – do you think that they should apologise to the House?”

“I haven’t actually gone through the report yet,” Sunak replied.

“You haven’t read the report?” Chris asked.

Apologise

“No, I haven’t been through the report yet in detail. I’ve seen it being reported, and I’ve been very clear in the past that…”

Chris then interrupted: “But you asked [Lord] Zac Goldsmith to apologise?”

Sunak replied: “Yes, because he’s a minister…”

Interjecting again, he said: “So you have read it sufficiently to note that Zac Goldsmith should apologise?”

“Yes, I’ve read the findings of the report. I haven’t read the report from cover to cover, no,” the PM replied.

“It’s about three pages long!” Chris exclaimed, much to the astonishment of the people in attendance.

🚨 | BREAKING: Chris Bryant slams Rishi Sunak over the Privileges Committee report

Bryant: "Do you think the MPs should apologise?"

Sunak: "I haven't gone through the report yet"

B: "You haven't… read the report?"

S: "Not from cover to cover"

B: "It's 3 pages long…" pic.twitter.com/WgNu4dtsEi

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) July 4, 2023

Bryant nailed the PM, after he spoke put about Cricket rules, during the Ashes row, but wont vote on Tories MPs accused of breaking rules.

Take a bow Chris Bryant!@RhonddaBryant pic.twitter.com/nzDUOpl5Ap

— The Purple Pimpernel (@Eyeswideopen69) July 4, 2023

Reactions

1.

Chris Bryant: “Do you think British companies should be trading in Russia at all?”

Sunak: “Some might be divesting”

CB: “Mantrac, which owns Unatrac FZE, sold diggers to Russia this year and you took £5m from its owner…”

RS: “I’m not familiar with the specific company” pic.twitter.com/KvFgYvqKFa

— David (@Zero_4) July 4, 2023

2.

🔸Rishi Sunak contradict himself within 2min in the Liaison Committee🔸

Sunak: My Stop the Boats promise isn't threatened by the fact that the Courts say the Rwanda policy is unlawful.

Dame Diana Johnson: So when will you Stop the Boats?

Sunak: That's for the Courts to decide. pic.twitter.com/pKFRdooR4Z

— Femi (@Femi_Sorry) July 4, 2023

3.

Watching Liaison Committee

Sunak is a totally arrogant piece of work struggling and gets confrontative when challenged.
Tried to talk over every questioner
Stated not read the Privileges Committee – report 2 despite telling Goldsmith to apologise (but could go to the Test) pic.twitter.com/RLUscokcix

— dave lawrence 🐟🐟🐠 (@dave43law) July 4, 2023

4.

Sunak couldn't remember the company but does remember the donor (its owner) who is senior vice treasurer of the Tory party and who will be given a peerage for the £5m donated.

— Sir CJ 💙 (@MrBenakaCJ) July 4, 2023

5.

Someone call a general election for heavens sake this is utterly unacceptable

— jo jo (@allfor1_none4us) July 4, 2023

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