Did David Cameron really slap minister's bottom at state banquet?
Prime minister appeared to give Hugo Swire a swat at dinner for Chinese premier Xi Jinping
David Cameron has been pulling out all the stops to impress visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping – but he reserved an even warmer reception for one of his own ministers, whom he greeted at this week's state banquet with what appeared to be a pat on the rear.
His target was Hugo Swire, minister of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and MP for East Devon. Swire initially ignored the swat, but on looking around appeared surprised to find it was the prime minister at his side. The exchange was caught by ITV's deputy political editor Chris Ship, who posted the clip on Twitter.
The peculiar hello took place at a state banquet held at Buckingham Palace for the Chinese premier and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Tuesday. The 170 guests dined on West Coast turbot and venison from the Queen's Balmoral estate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Last night, President Xi attended another formal dinner in honour of his visit, this time at the City of London's Guildhall. However, the premier is clearly tiring of formality and rich fare, as he has apparently requested fish and chips for lunch today. Xi is said to have made it known that he and his entourage are keen to try the traditional dish when they join Cameron in a pub near Chequers.
"They've asked about it repeatedly," a source told the Sunday Times. "It's all part of the President's view of himself as a man of the people."
After tucking into fish and chips for lunch, the president and his wife are scheduled to dine at Chequers with Cameron and his wife Samantha, before jetting off to Manchester tomorrow for the final day of their state visit. There, they will visit the Etihad Stadium and watch a match between Manchester City's women's team and Chinese club Wuhan Girls.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good democracies include their poorest citizens. The UK excludes them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published