Viewers distracted by Rishi Sunak’s spouse throughout grovelling resignation speech

While all ears were listening to Rishi Sunak during his resignation speech, all eyes were on his wife behind.

The ex-Prime Minister stood outside 10 Downing Street to formally hand in his notice as both the PM and the leader of the Conservative Party this morning, after Keir Starmer and the Labour Party secured a landslide win. Behind him, his wife Akshata Murty, stood clutching an umbrella in a navy and red striped dress.

It comes after Sunak was left humiliated when he was stood in the same position just weeks earlier to call the General Election. The ex-Tory leader was left drenched due to a major downfall of rain, with many laughing at him during his speech. So this time, his other half was on hand to make sure it didn’t happen again.

The emergency umbrella caught the attention of viewers online who took to social media to share their reactions. One person wrote on site X, formerly Twitter: “Rishi Sunak’s wife waiting in the wings holding an umbrella is killing me,” while another said: “Rishi Sunak leaving Downing Street. Note the umbrella. Not making that mistake again, so he has learned SOMETHING.”

Channel 4 News star Cathy Newman shared a snap of Murty on site X, formerly Twitter, and penned: “Taking no chances with the weather…” Meanwhile, GB News’ Christopher Hope said: “Rishi Sunak has learned his lesson! If the heavens open again as he speaks outside 10 Downing St, a man is ready with an umbrella.”

It wasn’t just the umbrella that had people in hysterics but Murty’s dress too, which many joked held significance. “Akshata Murty (serious face) standing behind her husband Rishi Sunak in a red, white and blue dress holding an umbrella as he weasels his way out of Downing Street is the stuff of a million memes,” one user said.

Following accusations of Sunak moving to California after his loss, another person joked: “Zoom in on Mrs Sunak’s outfit on your phone and it gives a QR code for the California tourist board.” A third said: “Nice to see Mrs Sunak wore an American flag style dress to help her guy hand his resignation to the King. Getting ready to hop on the private jet for the new life in the US as planned.”

One X user simply put it: “Mrs Sunak was carrying a brolly… and wearing the colours of the American Flag.” Though some were in favour of Murty’s fashion statement and one person applauded her sense of style, writing: “Top votes awarded to Mrs Sunak’s resignation dress nevertheless.”

Back in May, Sunak responded to accusations from former Tory minister Lord Goldsmith who said the PM would “disappear off to California in a few weeks”. He rejected the idea and said: “It’s simply not true, I mean, it’s just simply not true.”

Speaking outside No10 today, Sunak addressed the nation and apologised for his failures. He said: “I am sorry. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility.” He went on to say: “This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days but I leave this job honoured to have been your Prime Minister.”

During his speech, he added: “I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the Government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”