Rishi Sunak ‘had fear in his eyes’ in first speech, body language expert claims

A body language expert has claimed Rishi Sunak appeared to show ‘fear’ rather than reassuring the nation in his first speech as Tory leader.

The prime minister-in-waiting’s charm was ‘drained’ and he showed he can be ‘just as robotic as Liz Truss, if not more’, Judi James has said.

She added that he seemed ‘to have mixed emotions’ after beating out Penny Mordaunt, and it ultimately was ’not the high-impact start he might have needed’.

In a short televised statement of just 183 words, Mr Sunak said he was ‘humbled and honoured’ to be elected after the votes of 200 MPs decided the fate of the country’s top job.

He paid tribute to his predecessor who he said ‘led with dignity and grace’, and promised to bring our party and our country together’.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk after, Judi said: ‘All the Rishi charm seemed to have drained with this eyes-fixed-to-one-spot delivery and his unsmiling facial expression. He read rather than made the words his own. 

‘His arms pumped against his ribs in a micro-gesture of emphatic authority, but apart from that, he was light on any expressions or gesticulations.

‘His eye expression at the start looked questioning and then his eyes rounded in what looked like fear rather than calm control and authority. 

All the Rishi charm seemed to have drained in the big speech, Judi James said

‘I would guess we will see a different Rishi speak from outside No. 10 tomorrow but this was not the high-impact start he might have needed.’

Judi also pointed out an ‘odd seven-second silent pause at the start’ followed by a ‘six-second silent, expressionless pause’ at the end of the address.

Suggesting Mr Sunak could have thought the broadcast was recorded rather than live, she said: ‘When you record a message for the media you will often pause like that at the end rather than dashing off, but surely Rishi would not have made such an error this early into his new role?’

She added: ‘Rishi’s first formal address needed to be reassuring and calming. He should have shown himself as the adult in the room. But instead, he showed he was capable of being every bit as robotic and Truss, maybe more.’

Looking back to Mr Sunak’s arrival at Tory HQ following his victory earlier in the day, Judi said he seemed to have ‘mixed emotions’ but had a more positive take on the situation overall.

‘Our first sight of the new PM looked reassuring in terms of unity and supplying something to celebrate’, she said.

‘Walking up the steps of the party HQ, Rishi performed some very significant and important greeting and congratulatory rituals with the cheering and clapping party members. 

Mr Sunak was ‘reassuring in terms of unity’ with Tory MPs, Judi says (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

‘First impressions really do count and watching him perform a different greeting ritual with each MP, hugging some, kissing some on the cheek and patting others, suggested very solid, fond and individual relationships and bonding rather than just some random pressing of the flesh.’

She added: ‘Rishi’s smile at the top suggested complex emotions as he pushed out his lower lip and clamped the top one down to suggest a realistic view of his victory. 

‘But then there was more of the signature Rishi “bounce” with a double thumbs up and a swinging of one arm down through the air.’

Mr Sunak is set to make his first address as prime minister on Tuesday, after being invited to form a government by King Charles.

It will follow a visit to the palace from Liz Truss, who will hand in her resignation to the monarch after making one last address to the country.

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The PM-in-waiting’s charm was ‘drained’ and he showed he can be ‘just as robotic as Liz Truss, if not more’, Judi James has said.