UK statistics watchdog to investigate Sunak’s use of term

Sir Robert Chote to see if PM repeated ONS analyst’s comments taken out of context to exaggerate Tory economic record

The UK’s statistics watchdog has opened an investigation into remarks made by Rishi Sunak about the economy “going gangbusters” amid concerns that politicians could misuse economic data in the run-up to the election.

Sir Robert Chote, chair of the UK Statistics Authority, will examine whether the prime minister repeated comments that were “taken out of context” and exaggerated the Conservative party’s economic record.