UK PM Contender Rishi Sunak's Wife Akshata Murty In The Eye Of Storm Over Teacups

Twitterati was watchful enough to point out that the teacups belonged to a brand Emma Lacy and cost 38 pounds each

Akshata Murty, the wife of former UK minister Rishi Sunak

Source : Twitter/ @DaniJ94

New Delhi: Akshata Murty, the wife of former UK minister Rishi Sunak who is among the top contenders for the British PM's post and the daughter of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, has become the centre of controversy after she served tea to journalists. The media was waiting outside her house after her husband launched a bid to the Prime Minister's post following the resignation of Boris Johnson. Her choice of crockery became the target of netizens after a viral video showed Murty walking up to the journalists waiting outside their Kensington home and serving them tea and biscuits.  

Twitterati was watchful enough to point out that the teacups belonged to a brand Emma Lacy and cost 38 pounds each (approximately Rs3,600). One of the users also compared her gesture to former Prime Minister Johnson serving tea to journalists.  

ITV News on Twitter posted  the video of Murthy, with the caption, “after his shock resignation last night, Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy brings out a round of tea for journalists waiting for him to show his face." 

"Can't believe Rishi Sunak spends £38 on mugs, Akshata Murty millionaire trying to copy Bo Jo for? Say what you want about walking tumble weed on legs but at least he had real mugs," a user tweeted.

Another user mocked Murty for serving tea in such expensive cups saying the price of that mug could feed a family for two days.

"Tone deaf!!! The price of that mug could feed a family for 2 days!! I would've dropped it," the user tweeted. 

Designer Emma Lacey, who is the maker of the cup also confirmed on Twitter that those cups are from 'The Everyday Mug Range' that is available in 20 colour variants.

One of the major reasons for public discontent against the Boris Johnson-led government was primarily a rise in taxes and a high cost of living. The Opposition had targeted Sunak, then UK Chancellor, over the non-domicile tax status of Murty amid reports that Murthy’s foreign earnings are shielded from British tax authorities. The Indian wife of the former British finance minister is reported to be richer than Queen Elizabeth. 

Murty had then said she will pay UK taxes on her overseas income following the row.

Murty, 42, who is still an Indian citizen, has a net worth of about $1.2 billion owing to her stake in Infosys Ltd, founded by her father Narayana Murty, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.