RISHI Sunak was caught in a brutal snubbing of scandal-hit former health secretary Matt Hancock as he celebrated becoming PM outside Tory HQ on Monday afternoon.
The former chancellor was shaking hands with everyone as he arrived to applause, following news that he was the only leadership candidate left who had received the required 100 nominations.
Sunak smiled and greeted Tory MPs on the Westminster street, but completely blanked his former Cabinet colleague as he approached.
Sunak and Hancock worked together for over a year after both being appointed to Boris Johnson's Cabinet.
But in June, 2021, it emerged that Hancock had broken his own social distancing restrictions after being caught on camera kissing and hugging adviser Gina Coladangelo, with whom he was having an extramarital affair.
The pair had met while they were both at Oxford, and years later Hancock gave her the job of paid non-executive director at the Department for Health and Social Affairs.
Hancock resigned the following day after apologising for breaking the rules, saying in a statement that "those of us who make these rules have got to stick by them".
READ MORE: Five of Rishi Sunak's worst moments as he gears up to be prime minister
The MP for West Suffolk has not made a return to the Cabinet since the incident last year - and presumably, Sunak didn't fancy being photographed with the scandal-hit ex-minister on his first day in the job.
In the footage, you can see Hancock's grin fall right off his face as Sunak goes straight past him. Absolutely savage from the PM.
And that's even after Hancock offered up his support to Sunak for several months. During both leadership contests ...
Hancock tweeted approvingly on Monday afternoon: "Huge congratulations to @RishiSunak. He is exactly the Prime Minister we need. All of those who know Rishi well know he has the integrity, ability and experience to lead our country in these troubled times."
It doesn't look like the appreciation is returned, mate ...
After arriving at Tory HQ, Sunak gave a very brief speech in which he warned that the UK faces a “profound economic challenge".
In a speech at Conservative Party headquarters, he said: “I am humbled and honoured to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues and to be elected as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
“It is the greatest privilege of my life, to be able to serve the party I love and give back to the country I owe so much to.
READ MORE: BBC News presenter Martine Croxall 'taken off air' over Boris Johnson reaction
“The United Kingdom is a great country but there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge.
“We now need stability and unity and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.”
He also paid tribute to Liz Truss for her “dedicated public service”.
The handover of power from Truss to Sunak will not take place on Monday, Downing Street confirmed.
Discussions are taking place between Truss and Sunak about the timing of the transition.
It was the moment at the end of Sunak's speech that truly captured the mood of the UK, though.
A large crowd of onlookers had gathered at the gates and, as Sunak was driven off, a woman shouted “General Election now”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel