UK political crisis live updates: Rishi Sunak tears into Labour at first PMQs, fends off attacks on his wife and wealth

Perfectly legal for UK PM to have Indian wife, expert says

There are no rules about the citizenship of a UK prime minister’s wife and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak is perfectly entitled to have a wife who is an Indian citizen. She does not have to change her citizenship to be British for him to be UK PM.The prime minister is, by convention, an MP who leads the largest party in the House of Commons and has to be chosen by the King. Sunak was asked to form a government by the King on Tuesday and his party has a majority in the House of Commons.

It was like a wrestling ring when Rishi Sunak faced off against Sir Keir Starmer in his first ever PMQs on Wednesday. The Opposition had a series of blows ready, from the existence of non-dom status to Sunak’s wealth to the reappointment of the home secretary, Suella Braverman. But Sunak was well prepared and with confidence and swagger gave back as good as he got.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday came out in staunch defence of Suella Braverman after bringing her back as the home secretary in his cabinet.

Social media was abuzz with memes and reactions after septuagenarian US President Joe Biden mis-pronounced the name of newly-appointed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a Diwali reception he hosted at the White House.

Greg Hands, the UK Minister for Trade Policy, called India an "economic superpower" and says an FTA would improve access to its "dynamic market", media reports said. He said the government is negotiating an ambitious FTA that "works for both countries" and that the "majority of chapters" of the agreement have already been reached, with more rounds expected shortly.

Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earned cheers from his lawmakers and plaudits from political commentators on Wednesday as he locked horns with the opposition Labour Party in parliament for the first time since becoming leader.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday congratulated Rishi Sunak on his elevation as British Prime Minister and hoped India's ties with the UK will further deepen during his tenure. "I am delighted at your taking over as Prime Minister of Great Britain. It is certainly a matter of pride for all of us in India," she said in her letter to Sunak, who is of Indian origin.

UK says has completed most of India trade deal, will only sign once happy

Britain has completed the majority of sections of a free trade agreement with India but will only sign off on the deal once happy that it is fair and reciprocal, trade department minister Greg Hands said on Wednesday. "We have already closed the majority of chapters and look forward to the next round of talks shortly," Hands told parliament. The government had previously said it wanted to complete the deal by Diwali, a deadline which passed earlier this week.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday postponed an eagerly awaited budget plan due next week, as the youthful new leader got down to business after weeks of political turmoil.

New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will reinstate an England-wide ban on shale gas fracking, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing government insiders.

Important thing is to focus on energy security, meaning more renewables, more offshore wind, more nuclear: UK PM Sunak

Fiscal statement delay needed to get decisions right, UK PM Sunak tells ministers

New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told his cabinet of ministers on Wednesday the government will delay a fiscal event until Nov. 17 because it is important to get difficult decisions right and consult on them. Sunak told the cabinet that the government would prioritise economic stability and fiscal sustainability, agreeing with finance minister Jeremy Hunt to push back the fiscal statement, which had been due on Oct. 31.

UK PM Rishi Sunak told cabinet that economic stability and fiscal sustainability would be at the heart of this government's mission

The Liberal Democrats have called for a Cabinet Office probe into Indian-origin Suella Braverman's re-appointment as the UK Home Secretary by Rishi Sunak, days after being forced to resign for breaching the ministerial code, a media report said on Wednesday.

Meanehile, the pound recovered further Wednesday, jumping more than one percent against the dollar, as markets welcomed the appointment of Rishi Sunak as UK prime minister.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is holding the first meeting of his new Cabinet before facing the opposition in Parliament on Wednesday for the first time as leader.

Meet the Sunaks of 10 Downing Street

With Indian-origin Rishi Sunak taking over as Britain’s youngest Prime Minister in over 200 years, here’s a peek into his personal life.

British pound extends recovery with 1% dollar gain

The pound recovered further Wednesday, jumping more than one percent against the dollar, as markets welcomed the appointment of Rishi Sunak as UK prime minister.Sterling rallied to $1.1598, while the US currency also slid against the euro as the European Central Bank prepares to announce a big interest rate hike on Thursday

Britain's Rishi Sunak to make parliamentary debut as PM

Rishi Sunak will on Wednesday face off against opposition lawmakers for the first time as British prime minister, in a likely raucous parliamentary session following weeks of political turmoil. His parliamentary debut as prime minister comes a day after he took power as the first UK leader of colour, vowing to repair the damage wrought by outgoing leader Liz Truss through her disastrous budget, which sparked economic carnage. Sunak faces a daunting array of problems from the war in Ukraine to a cost-of-living crisis at home and expected budget cuts. (AFP)