Rishi Sunak insists the UK is ‘doing great things internationally’ after Harry’s court gibe that its global reputation was at ‘rock bottom’ – but PM refuses to criticise prince due to ‘long-standing convention’ of staying out of royal affairs
Rishi Sunak leapt to the defence of Britain’s global reputation today after an astonishing attack on his government by Prince Harry.
The Prime Minister used interviews on a trip to the US to say the UK government was ‘doing great things internationally’.
His defence came after the Duke of Sussex used a historic appearance as a witness at the High Court to say the government’s global standing was at ‘rock bottom’.
Giving evidence in a phone-hacking case against the Mirror Group the US-based prince broke the convention of royals not commenting on politics.
‘On a national level, at the moment, our country is judged globally by the state of our Press and our government – both of which I believe are at rock bottom,’ he said.
Asked about the comments in Washington DC today, Mr Sunak refused to break the mirror convention of politicians not commenting on royal affairs.
But speaking to the BBC he said: ‘I’m pleased to announce today £14billion of investment from US companies into the UK, supporting thousands of jobs.
‘So I think that demonstrates the strength of our US relationship in particular, but look, around the world (we are the) first European country to join the CPTPP trade partnership, and alongside Australia and America, a new AUKUS defence partnership.
‘So I think we are we are doing great things internationally. And people are noticing that and not least with our leadership on Ukraine.’
The Prime Minister used interviews on a trip to the US to say the UK was ‘doing great things internationally’.
His defence came after Harry used a historic appearance as a witness at the High Court to say the nation’s global standing was at ‘rock bottom’.
Giving evidence in a phone-hacking case against the Mirror Group the US-based prince broke the convention of royals not commenting on politics.
Harry was today grilled over a ‘boozy’ night at a ‘sleazy strip joint’ and accused of ‘speculating’ once again after admitting he was not sure if his phone was hacked.
The duke is suing Mirror Group Newspapers for damages over claims journalists at its titles used hacking, ‘blagging’ and other illegal means of deception to write 140 articles published between 1996 and 2010.
He repeatedly clashed with the KC representing the publisher during the second day of a gruelling cross-examination.
Andrew Green KC told the prince after one fractious exchange: ‘Could I just repeat what I said yesterday – this is about me asking you questions, not you asking me questions.’
Meanwhile, Harry repeatedly pushed back against the barrister’s line of questioning, telling him several times: ‘I’ll take your word for it.’
