Knives out for Mordaunt
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PENNY Mordaunt’s battle to become the next Tory leader has faced a “black ops” attack from Liz Truss’s campaign.
Senior members of the Foreign Secretary’s team attempted to trash her record by claiming she is not up to the job.
The onslaught came after the “dark horse” candidate retained second place in the next round of voting by Tory MPs yesterday.
It puts her in prime position to make it through to the final ballot of party members along with ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Mordaunt got 83 votes, 19 ahead of Truss in third place.
Sunak remains in pole position on 101 votes, which puts him within touching distance of making it into the final round.
Attorney General Suella Braverman was eliminated after coming last with 27 votes. Sources said she will now back the Foreign Secretary, who has similar hardline views on Brexit and “woke” issues.
But the battle for second place became increasingly bitter after polls hinted International Trade Minister Mordaunt would win.
She is the 8/13 favourite with bookies, ahead of 10/3 shot Sunak and Truss on 4/1.
Kemi Badenoch, who got 49 votes, is next at 25/1 followed by Tom Tugendhat at 200/1.
Former Brexit minister Lord Frost, who is backing Truss, said he had “grave reservations” about whether Mordaunt is fit to be in No10.
He claimed she lacked a grasp of detail when she was his deputy, was unwilling to deliver tough messages to Brussels and he had to ask Boris Johnson to replace her.
But a Mordaunt campaign source said: “Penny has nothing but respect for Lord Frost. She has always fought for Brexit.”
Treasury Chief Secretary Simon Clarke, who is also backing Truss, said: “Lord Frost’s warning is a really serious one.
“Conservatives – and, far more importantly, our country – need a leader who is tested and ready.”
Former cabinet minister David
Somebody gets ahead & then the black op starts, not friendly fire DAVID DAVIS SUPPORTER OF PENNY MORDAUNT
Davis, a backer of Mordaunt, criticised the attacks directed at her.
He said: “I wouldn’t describe it as friendly fire. It’s clockwork – you get to the point that somebody gets ahead and looks to be the real challenger and then the black op starts, the incoming fire starts.”
During Truss’ campaign launch yesterday, she said that she wants a “united” party, as she distanced herself from the attacks.
She added: “I certainly won’t be making any disparaging comments about fellow candidates in the race.”
Truss said she wanted to focus on “delivery, delivery, delivery”, despite the Tories being in power for 12 years.
She hopes to lead an “aspiration nation” with low-tax zones in poor areas and tax breaks for those who take time off work to care for kids.
Truss said if she wins, she would hold a Budget immediately, reversing National Insurance rises and the planned corporation tax hike.
Meanwhile, Tugendhat said he felt like a “prom queen” with rival campaigns wooing him if he gets booted out.
Supporters suggested that the bulk of his 32 votes could transfer to Mordaunt. One Tory MP said: “If you want Tom, you want change. Penny is the other change candidate, so it makes sense that his supporters will switch to her.” Braverman accused Mordaunt of failing to stand up for women and of not being an “authentic Brexiteer”.
She singled her out for her apparently supportive stance on trans rights.
Elsewhere, Sunak insisted his wealth and background in finance do not prevent him understanding the plight of hard-pressed families.
He told the BBC: “I don’t judge people by their bank accounts, I judge them by their character and I think people can judge me by my actions over the past couple of years.”
Sunak defended his economic plan, which would not involve the swift tax cuts promised by his rivals.
TV debates are scheduled for tonight, Sunday and Monday but it is unclear if all candidates will turn up.
The next round of voting is due on Monday, with more rounds if required until two candidates are left. The new PM will be unveiled on September 5.