Rishi Sunak criticised for using erasable ink to make notes and sign documents

28 June 2023 , 09:16

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The PM has been pictured on several occassions holding an erasable fountain pen (Image: Rory Arnold / Avalon)

Rishi Sunak has been criticised after it emerged he regularly uses pens with erasable ink when he makes notes on official documents.

He has been pictured holding a Pilot V fountain pen, which costs £4.25, on several occasions - sparking concerns about secrecy.

This has sparked concerns that his writing could be erased from papers handed over to official inquiries or used by historians to piece together the workings of Government.

But No10 this morning said the PM has never used the erase function - and never would.

As well as using an erasable pen at Cabinet a fortnight ago, Mr Sunak has also been pictured using them while signing official letters and at a meeting of the European political community in Moldova this month.

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No10 said the pens are standard issue across the civil service (© No10 Crown Copyright / eyevine)

The pens have an erasable ink logo and manufacturers boast they are “ideal for those learning to write with ink because if you make a mistake, the ink erases using standard ink eradicators”.

Tom Brake, who heads campaign group Unlock Democracy, told The Guardian that use of the pens further erodes public trust.

Referring to the bitter row between the Government and the Covid Inquiry over Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages, he said: “When trust in politicians is at an all-time low, the PM signing official documents in erasable ink could push it through the floor and into the basement."

“Erasable ink, lost mobile phones and disappearing WhatsApp messages all add to a picture of a cavalier attitude towards ensuring government is accountable for its actions.”

And a Labour source branded Mr Sunak "addicted to evasion" and said it is "no wonder" people are going to be curious about the choice of pens.

But No 10 hit back and said they are standard issue across the civil service.

The PM's press secretary said: “This is a pen provided by and used widely by the civil service.

"The prime minister has never used the erase function and nor would he.”

US Presidents write and sign documents in permanent ink to ensure there is no chance of them being erased, or that they fade over time.

Dave Burke