During the Christmas holidays, Rishi Sunak shared a quirky skit inspired by the 1990s Hollywood film 'Home Alone' on social media. The post included the message “Merry Christmas from Downing Street,” aiming to showcase the prime minister's humorous side during the festive period.
The 43-year-old can be seen hard at work at his desk at 10 Downing Street when he stops to ask himself: “Am I the only one here?”
On realising he is home alone, he celebrates by bowling a ball against stacked cans of Coca Cola, famously Sunak's favourite drink. He follows that up by eating a plate of spaghetti with maple syrup while watching the 2003 Christmas film ‘Elf'.
Downing Street's resident cat, Larry, is there to give him company before the telephone rings in the press office and he tells a certain “Harry” it's a wrong number – believed to be a reference to Harry Cole, the ‘Sun' newspaper's political editor.
The short 72-second video, shared on X on Monday (25), has been likened by some to the 2003 Christmas film ‘Love Actually' in which actor Hugh Grant, playing a British prime minister, does a funny dance through the empty corridors of 10 Downing Street.
With a general election expected in 2024, Sunak will be hoping this is not his last Christmas message as prime minister as the governing Conservatives lag behind the Opposition Labour Party in the opinion polls.
Sunak also shared with the ‘Politico' outlet that on Christmas Day he is in charge of cooking the traditional turkey roast dinner after watching fun films with daughters Krishna and Anoushka on Christmas Eve.
“I always brine then cook the turkey, I hate the cooking, but no one else will do it! And watch ‘The Snowman' with my daughters on Christmas Eve followed by ‘The Holiday' on Christmas Day,” he told the news website.
Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and author Sudha Murty. The family are spending Christmas in their constituency home in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Ahead of the festive holiday period in the UK, which runs from the weekend until Tuesday, Sunak was seen shopping for boxes of mince pies, sweet Christmas treats, for key workers in Yorkshire.
“On my way home to Yorkshire, I got the opportunity to thank just a few of the amazing people who keep this country going. We're so grateful for all the work that you do – this Christmas and always,” Sunak posted on X on Christmas Eve on Sunday.
In his official Christmas message, he urged people to focus on "the promise of a brighter future".
"Christmas is a time of peace, joy, compassion. A time of hope and a promise of a better world. And today as we look ahead, let's keep that promise of a brighter future burning into the new year," he said.
He referred to this as a "magical time of the year" and thanked National Health Service (NHS) staff, police, and the armed forces for "sacrificing their Christmases this year in the service of others".
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer used his message to say the story of Jesus was a reminder that "in times of darkness and despair, hope, love and peace are always worth advocating for".
Starmer said, "Throughout the Christmas period, we see the bonds of kinship rekindled as families and friends share in the joy, the hope and the optimism that Christmas provides.
"For Christians the world over, this is a time to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ – God's son. The birth of Jesus Christ brings light into our world and reminds us that in times of darkness and despair, hope, love, and peace are always worth advocating for.
"Charity, humility and selflessness take centre stage in the Christmas story – and this season serves as a reminder that these qualities should be a guiding light for all of us."
(PTI)
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)