Anger as Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng spotted laughing and is accused of taking phone call during Queen’s funeral

Rahmah Ghazali
By Rahmah Ghazali
Published 20th Sep 2022, 08:35 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2022, 10:32 BST
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The newly-minted Chancellor of the Exchequer was seen laughing and some accused him of taking a phone call during the proceedings of the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Kwasi Kwarteng has received public backlash after he was spotted laughing during the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer was among many of the secretaries of state from new prime minister Liz Truss’ government who attended the late monarch’s state funeral.

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Mr. Kwarteng was seated directly behind former prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie Johnson.

In a 10-second clip that has gone viral on social media, Mr. Kwarteng can be seen laughing and mouthing words as if speaking to someone during the service.

Some members of the public accused the new Chancellor of being caught out “taking a personal call” during the funeral.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng arrives at 10 Downing Street in central London on September 7, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng arrives at 10 Downing Street in central London on September 7, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng arrives at 10 Downing Street in central London on September 7, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Tweeter @LouisHenwood, who posted the footage, said: “Nice to see Kwasi Kwarteng clearly taking a personal call at the Queen’s funeral and having a bit of a laugh.

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“The chancellor can’t even show any respect at this most solemn occasion.”