Boris Johnson may be making crucial decisions on Britain’s response to the Afghanistan crisis - but he struggled to choose what to have for dinner.
The Prime Minister was snapped shopping for groceries in a branch of M&S Food in London’s Green Park, hours after chairing a crunch COBRA meeting.
While other shoppers wore face coverings, Mr Johnson wandered through the mini supermarket mask-free.
Last month he told the British public they should “remember the value of face coverings both in protecting themselves and others” particularly in places “where you come into contact with people you don't usually meet in enclosed spaces”.
Mr Johnson spent some time eyeing up special offers in the refrigerator aisles, scratching both his head and his behind as he pondered his most significant decision of the day.
The 57-year-old PM has been on a health kick of late - reportedly giving up booze for the rest of the year while wife Carrie is pregnant with the couple’s second child.
He was seen heading to the checkout with a full to the brim basket of goods, including tinned food, fruit and a bag of salad.
It was only a few months back that Mr Johnson blew £12,500 on gourmet food - despite lecturing NHS Covid heroes on 'affordability'.
He reportedly had boxes of luxury organic food "smuggled in" to Downing Street to be enjoyed by himself and partner Carrie Symonds.
The boxes were understood to be dropped off on Tuesdays, along with a bouquet of flowers - and are prepared by Mr Johnson's Daylesford 'personal chef'.
The Prime Minister's Deputy Spokesman said: "The cost of food for personal consumption are entirely met by the Prime Minister."
Last month it was reported the Government is considering rewards for families buying healthier food - after a furious Tory backlash to proposals for a salt and sugar tax.
The new plan, which could be launched from January, would track families' supermarket spending through an app, and reward those who buy more fruit, vegetables and low calorie meals.
The Prime Minister's dash for an M&S ready meal came hours after he said he would work with the Taliban if necessary to “find a solution” for Afghanistan.
He told reporters: “It’s worth repeating that at the end of a 20-year cycle of engagement there is a huge record to be proud of in Afghanistan.
“It bears repeating that the UK armed forces, UK diplomats, aid workers, did help to change the lives of literally millions of people in Afghanistan, to help educate millions of women and young girls who would otherwise not have been educated, and to stop terrorism from coming to this country.
“And what I want to assure people is that our political and diplomatic efforts to find a solution for Afghanistan – working with the Taliban, of course, if necessary – will go on.
“And our commitment to Afghanistan is lasting.”
They could also gain extra "points" in the app by taking part in organised exercise events or by walking to school, the newspaper said.
These points could be exchanged for incentives including discounts and free tickets to events.
While the full contents of Mr Johnson's basket weren't clear - some items, like the bag of salad, would probably earn him a few points.
And in March, Mr Johnson revealed he had given up "late night cheese" in a bid to shed some pounds.
He said: "I've been doing a lot, in fact, everything I can, to lose weight and to feel fitter and healthier.
"The result is I actually have lost some weight, quite a lot by my standards, and I feel much more energetic, I feel full of beans and I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend it."
