PM and wife launch the puppy appeal...
RISHI Sunak and wife Akshata Murty stroll along Downing Street’s hallway after doing their bit for the Poppy Appeal ...joined by family pup Nova.
The labrador gazed up adoringly at the Prime Minister as his wife pinned a red Royal British Legion flower to his lapel yesterday.
Mr Sunak was supported by his 42-year-old wife in her first public appearance with him since he became PM last week. He struggled to force £20 into the tin held by a young seller before dropping a poppy as he went to pin it on his wife’s jumper.
But Mr Sunak managed to keep Nova sweet with a poppy of its own and doggie treats.
The PM tweeted: “There is no greater sacrifice than that of those who lay down their lives in service of their country.
“So during this year’s Poppy Appeal, please give generously to honour our veterans – past and present – and those who continue to protect us today.”
The annual appeal raises funds for The Royal British Legion to support the armed forces community and raises around £50million every year.
Heiress Ms Murty, who has a £690million stake in her father’s IT company Infosys,
was seen on Saturday overseeing the No10 move.
Nova, who is 17 months old, feels right at home there as he spent his puppyhood at the famous address when Mr Sunak was Chancellor.
The family got him last year after daughters Krishna and Anoushka took a shine to the Johnsons’ Jack Russell Dilyn and pleaded with their dad for a dog of their own.
And Nova knows how to ensure his master does not overwork, by napping in his official red boxes...after devouring a delicious meal of roast chicken.