‘I’m a longtime devotee’: Rishi Sunak apologises for wearing Adidas Samba trainers

Rishi Sunak, who wore the trainers in a Downing Street interview, said he was ‘amused by the amount of focus’ on what he was wearing. Photograph: @rIshisunakmp/Instagram

Rishi Sunak has apologised to all fans of Adidas Samba trainers after being accused of ruining their credibility when he was pictured in a pair.

The prime minister said he had been wearing the German sportswear trainer “for many years” and was a “longtime devotee” of the brand.

He made the apology after he was seen wearing the grey, white and black trainers in a Downing Street interview, paired with a white shirt, navy chinos and black socks.

Many social media users had said they would sell their shoes online as Sunak had ruined the look for everyone.

Speaking on LBC Radio, Sunak said: “I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas – and others, in fact – for many, many years. The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago – my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I haven’t looked back since. So I’ve been a longtime devotee.”

He added: “That pair [in the video] I did buy, but I’ve had Adidas trainers for a very long time.”

British GQ magazine said “in a bid to present himself as young and hip, Rishi Sunak took an eternally cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone”. The footwear historian Elizabeth Semmelhack told the Times it could prove to be “the death knell” for the retro trainer.

But Sunak, who has also faced questions about the short length of his trousers, said he is “intrigued and amused by the amount of focus on what I’m wearing”.

Keir Starmer has also been said to have his own effect on fashion trends after being spotted routinely wearing Stone Island polo shirts. The Labour leader is a fan of the brand, as is the rapper Drake and the former One Direction member Zayn Malik.

Trainer fans, however, have never recovered from David Cameron wearing a pair of black Velcro Converse. The basketball shoes come in high or low form and most are lace-ups.