Rishi Sunak has sparked anger on social media today, though unlike the usual division over the economy or Brexit, the PM kicked up a storm thanks to his shoe choice.
In an Instagram video promoting today’s National Insurance cut, the Prime Minister was filmed greeting an accountant influencer in Downing Street.
Greeting his guest, the PM was pictured wearing a typical shirt and suit trouser pairing, though finished off with a pair of bright white Adidas trainers.
The £90 shoes showed off a more relaxed Prime Minister, though incited opposition when the images were shared on social media.
Former Scottish Tory leader Baroness Ruth Davidson tweeted: “Holy s***biscuits. I support the PM, but there is a limit.”
Other users compared the pictures to the infamous photo of William Hague trying to look cool in a baseball cap.
Another quipped: “Rishi Sunak trying to dress down makes Ed Miliband eating a bacon sandwich the picture of elegance.”
Mail and Spectator columnist Stephen Daisley joked: “I may actually miss Liz Truss.”
However the UK’s leading etiquette expert William Hanson suggested the clips from Mr Sunak’s social media video revealed an even worse faux pas than the PM’s choice of footwear.
Mr Hanson said: “Hand in pocket when shaking hands too. Arguably worse.”
The etiquette coach and best-selling author has previously warned that leaving one’s hand in one’s pocket during a handshake is “arrogant” and historically suggested the individual could be carrying a weapon.
Nor should the hand be held behind the back during a handshake for the same reason.
Other social media users who own the same pair of trainers suggested it made them want to get rid after being associated with Mr Sunak.
Martin Hammond joked: “*Immediately burns his pair of the same shoes*”
While another bemoaned he’s “only just bought the exact same trainers”.
Some did defend the PM, however, as Doug Monro said: “Of all the things you could complain about with politicians … I wouldn’t pick this!”
