*We are resharing this story from our archive as Rishi Sunak looks set to be the next PM. First published July 20, 2022*
TORY leadership contender Rishi Sunak appeared to suggest English town Darlington is in Scotland in an interview gaffe.
The former chancellor was speaking to The Spectator when he was asked for his stance on the Union and whether as Prime Minister he would spend more time north of the border.
Sunak said that he takes the Union “seriously” before going on to reference setting up a government office for the Treasury in Darlington, County Durham.
Unfortunately for Sunak, Darlington is nowhere near Scotland - it sits 87 miles from Gretna Green and 102 miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed, the most northerly town in England, and closest to the Scottish Border.
The clip has been roundly mocked on social media, amassing over a quarter of a million views on Twitter alone.
The footage begins with an off-screen Sunak saying: “It’s about the values that bind us as a United Kingdom and I don’t think we should be afraid of making that emotional case for the United Kingdom, from the heart, as well as the practical argument for it and demonstrating it and that’s what I’d like to try and do.”
Rishi Sunak thinks Darlington is in Scotland pic.twitter.com/o4igMUFGw0
— Phantom Power (@PhantomPower14) July 20, 2022
The interviewer then asked Sunak if he would spend time in Scotland himself, noting that previously, Tory leaders have not been welcomed north of the border.
He replied: “I think people can already see that I take that seriously. I was a Chancellor who set up an economic campus for the government and for the Treasury in Darlington, and not only did I set it up and it’s going, well was going incredibly well when I left and I’m sure still is.
“I also spent a lot of time there myself personally and made sure all the ministers did in the department because it’s not enough actually to set up these things, if you want to demonstrate that they matter to you, being there is really important.”
The journalist in the clip is visibly confused and turns to look off camera at the end of Sunak’s remarks.
Social media users were quick to mock Sunak’s slip-up.
One wrote: “Jings, he really dug that hole.”
Another joked: “It's north of Watford so near enough.”
One user added: “Thinking Darlington is in Scotland, that sums up his true interest & knowledge north of the Border, doesn't it? I am surprised he did not think Scotland is just next door to Rwanda!”
While another said simply: “Oh dear Rishi.”
