Tory leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak said he and his family are prepared for the media spotlight if he is elected as the new Prime Minister.
His comments came in an interview broadcast on GB News this morning and follows criticism of comments he made at a meeting in Kent in which he apparently boasted of diverting funds from Labour councils into Tory areas.
Asked if his family were ready for the spotlight which will fall on them if he wins the race to Number 10, he told GB News: “Yes, and as I said, having learned from the experience over Easter, it’s something that I’m much more prepared for. I completely accept the scrutiny that comes. It’s completely understandable that that’s part of the process at this level. I’ve learned from that experience as have they.”
“I’m doing it [running for PM] for a simple reason, and that’s because I love our country to bits. Our country did this extraordinary thing for my family and welcomed them here, allowing them to build a better life for themselves and their children.
“And that’s why I want to be Prime Minister because I want to do that for everyone. I want everyone’s kids and grandkids to be able to have the same amazing opportunities that I had.
“I think my plan is the right one to lead us into that future to build a country and a society built on those values of family and aspiration and hard work and hope.
“And I think I’m the right person to do it and the right person to then go and smash Keir Starmer in the next election.”
Speaking to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on GB News, Mr Sunak insisted he was the candidate who could unite the Tory Party and “smash Keir Starmer” at the next election.
On claims his wealth and background means he is unsuitable to be Prime Minister, Mr Sunak suggested: “I’ve been out and about across the country right over the last week or two talking to members of the public.
“I’ve had so many people come and talk to me about furlough and they’ve come and talked to me about what it did, what it meant to them, how it’s saved their job or helped their family, how their business was supported, and they wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the things I did and they were grateful for that.
“They all remember that first press conference I did as Chancellor, where I kind of arrived and people didn’t quite know who I was. And then I did these things that really helped them at a time when they were really worried.
“And, you know, I was reflecting when I gave that press conference. I was wearing the same suit that I’m wearing today. I’m the same person who did all those things and I think in this country we judge people by their character and their actions, not by what’s in their bank account or what they’re wearing.
“Ultimately I’ve always acted over the past couple of years to protect people, particularly the most vulnerable in society through difficult times. That’s what I did as Chancellor and that’s what I’m going to do as Prime Minister.”
On the criticism which has been levelled at his wife and family he said: “Obviously it was difficult, but you learn from those experiences. At this level you know your family is exposed to that, that’s that’s the way it is, right? And that’s fair, and I accept that.”
