Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak uses the side of a hammer to hit a nail, evoking reactions of ridicule on social media.
The archived version of the tweet can be seen here.
Fact
Newschecker first ran a keyword search for “Rishi Sunak hammer”, which led us to this Guardian report, dated November 24, 2023, stating that Rishi Sunak was mocked on social media for ostensibly having difficulty handling a hammer, after being told to use it sideways as part of a craft session.
“Sunak was taking a lesson in hammering jewellery in Farsley in West Yorkshire during a visit. A clip of his technique went viral on Friday as it showed him using the side of the tool and struggling to hit the metal hard enough to drive it downwards…But in a fuller version of the clip, the jewellery crafter sitting alongside Sunak instructs him to use the side of the instrument. He replies: ‘Sideways?’ and she says: ‘Yes.’,” read the report, sharing the full video of the interaction, where you can see the craftswoman working with the PM actually told him to use the flat bit of the hammer.
Similar reports can be seen here, here and here, confirming that Sunak was just following instructions and that a clipped video had gone viral. “She [the instructor] can be heard to tell the prime minister, “Use this bit”. Mr Sunak asked, “Sideways?”, before the jewellery maker said: “Yes.”,” read the Independent’s report, dated November 24, 2023, stating that the UK PM was visiting the Emma White Jewellery Studio in Farsley, as he met with small business owners in the region on the day after chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a series of tax cuts.
Result: Missing Context
Source
The Guardian report, November 24, 2023
The Independent report, November 24, 2023
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
