Jeremy Hunt: I wished my wife happy birthday in the Autumn Statement after I forgot her card

Jeremy Hunt's wife Lucia attended her husband's 52-minute speech in the House of Commons with their three children. Photo: JEFF GILBERT. PHOTO

Jeremy Hunt said he wished his wife a happy birthday during the Autumn Speech after forgetting to buy her a card.

The Chancellor began his speech on Wednesday by telling his wife Lucia that watched her from the side of the press gallery with her children, that she looked “younger every year.”

He later admitted that he felt “incredibly guilty” for not buying his wife a card or a gift, and that he hoped to make amends. this is on the weekend.

This isn't the first time the Chancellor has found himself in his wife's bad books. During a state visit to China three years ago, he mistakenly said she was Japanese rather than Chinese, before correcting himself and apologizing for the «terrible mistake».

Mr Hunt told the House of Commons on Wednesday : “I come today with good news. It's my wife's birthday and, unlike me, she looks younger every year.»

Lucia Hunt laughed and covered her face when she was mentioned, while their three children, who looked serious when their father rose to his feet, he grinned.

Jeremy Hunt told the House of Commons: “I come today with good news. It’s my wife’s birthday and, unlike me, she looks younger every year.” Photo: UK PARLIAMENT

They listened to Prime Minister's Questions and Hunt's 52-minute speech, but walked away when Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, criticized the Conservatives' «13 years of economic collapse.»

In conversation with LBC Radio the next day Mr Hunt said: “I'm afraid I haven't bought anything for my wife. I didn't even give her a birthday card. I feel incredibly guilty.

“I publicly acknowledged her birthday in front of millions of people, which is something I haven't done before. So hopefully I can catch up over the weekend.»

Mr Hunt met with his wife , born in Xi'an in central China, while she was working at the University of Warwick in 2008.

He previously called her his «secret weapon» and they are fluent in four languages: English, Chinese, Japanese and French.