Prime Minister uses erasable ink on official documents, it emerges

Jul 11, 2023

Opposition parties mock Rishi Sunak after press secretary confirms the use of the popular Pilot V fountain pens

Downing Street has insisted the Prime Minister has never used erasable pens to conceal his notes after it emerged he routinely uses the markers for official business.

Rishi Sunak’s press secretary was forced to confirm he does not use the erase function on the disposable Pilot V fountain pens, which she described as some of the most popular in the country, after questions were raised over their implications for transparency.

Opposition parties mocked the Tory leader for his choice of stationery, with sources from Labour and the Lib Dems quipping that no amount of erasable ink could conceal the Government’s “dismal” record and the “damage done to people’s livelihoods”.

The Prime Minister has often been pictured using the pens, as first reported by The Guardian, most recently during a Cabinet meeting this week.

On Wednesday, his press secretary said: “This is a pen that is actually one of the best selling fountain pens in the country, the brand is one of the top 10 fountain pens.

“It’s also one that is provided by and used widely by the civil service. He does use this fountain pen, he has not used it to erase.”

In separate comments reported by The Guardian, she said: “The Prime Minister has never used the erase function and nor would he.”

The fountain pens, which sell for around £5 each, are said to be “ideal” for those “learning to write with ink”.

In official photos from his stint in the Treasury, Mr Sunak can be seen using the erasable markers to sign a bilateral agreement with the Swiss, during a conference call with G20 finance ministers, and while briefing journalists from 11 Downing Street.

As Prime Minister, he has been pictured using the pens in various Cabinet meetings, at the second summit of the European Political Community in Moldova, and at a press conference to announce the UK’s new Brexit deal on Northern Ireland.

A Labour source accused Mr Sunak of being “addicted to evasion”, citing the Government’s refusal to hand over ministers’ unredacted WhatsApp messages to the Covid inquiry.

“No wonder people are going to be curious about his choice of these pens,” they said.

“But no amount of erasable ink can cover up his dismal record of failure and broken promises as chancellor and as Prime Minister.”

A Lib Dem source added: “It will take more than erasable ink to undo the damage done to people’s livelihoods from soaring mortgages and unfair tax hikes.”