It took No 10 until the end of the day to condemn his words as "racist and wrong"; Rishi Sunak didn't comment until the prime minister's questions the next day.
Downing Street's handling of the row had uncomfortable echoes of the dying days of Boris Johnson's premiership for some Tory MPs, with the instinctive reaction to double down and tough it out.
It was not the only difficult moment for Sunak in what was one of the most troubled weeks since he become prime minister, and which followed a budget that failed to deliver any shift in the polls.
The former Tory deputy chair Lee Anderson defected to Reform, angering the right of the party, who felt he should not have been stripped of the whip, and the rest, who believed it was a mistake for Sunak to have given him the role.
The despondency that has existed for months in Tory ranks turned to despair, and the anxiety among MPs about their electoral prospects with Sunak at the helm has led to another bout of leadership speculation.
"This is the weakest Rishi's been, and the most danger he's been in," said one former minister. "No 10's judgement has now been thrown into question."
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 18, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 18, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
FTX files $1.8bn lawsuit against Binance and its former CEO
The collapsed cryptocurrency company FTX is suing Binance and its former CEO Changpeng Zhao, alleging that $1.8bn was \"fraudulently transferred\" by FTX management to Binance and its executives.
Ref's video nasty Coote suspended for foul-mouthed Klopp tirade
The Premier League referee David Coote has been suspended after video footage emerged of him calling Jürgen Klopp a \"German cunt\" and Liverpool \"shit\".
Van Nistelrooy leaves United as Amorim checks in
Ruud van Nistelrooy has left his role as assistant coach after the arrival of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
Merino backs Arsenal to stay in title race after 'difficult few weeks'
Mikel Merino insists Arsenal will thrive on the pressure of their bid to win the Premier League and has cited the late push in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea as evidence of their character.
Robertson not worried after being 'written off' by some
Andy Robertson has said he had a point to prove in Liverpool's win over Aston Villa having been \"written off\" for the first time in his storied Anfield career.
Unfamiliar City woes make this Guardiola's trickiest challenge
The champions struggling in the autumn is nothing new but the root of this season's problems appear different
Coote's mindless rant undermines trust in referees - he can have no complaints over the consequences
There is lots I do not want to know about the video featuring the Premier League referee David Coote.
'Proud father' Gil Gomes reveals a unique family tale
Angel Gomes's dad recalls his own remarkable football journey which took him from Angola to Salford via Hendon
Foden and Palmer among eight England dropouts
Lee Carsley has been rocked by an extraordinary eight withdrawals from his England squad to face Greece and Republic of Ireland in the Nations League, Phil Foden an unexpected name on the absentees list where he joins his Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish.
Ruthless Ruud catches Alcaraz cold in Turin
Carlos Alcaraz made a stuttering start to the ATP Finals in Turin as he suffered a shock first career defeat to the world No 7 Casper Ruud.