Boris Loyalists Backing Truss To ‘Stop Rishi'

‘We must reduce tax and deliver benefits of Brexit’

- Macer Hall and Sam Lister

CABINET Brexiteers furious at “disloyal” Rishi Sunak have thrown their support behind Liz Truss’ leadership bid.

Boris Johnson loyalists Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nadine Dorries praised the Foreign Secretary as a “proper” Conservative in a statement before today’s first knockout round.

Signs of deepening bitterness in the race for the party crown were highlighted by Mr Rees-Mogg condemning the “socialist” tax levels left by the former Chancellor.

And Culture Secretary Ms Dorries hit out at the Sunak camp, saying they were involved in “dirty tricks, a stitch-up...dark arts. Take your pick”.

Tory officials yesterday announced eight candidates will vie for the support of the party’s MPs – Mr Sunak, Ms Truss, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt, Tom Tugendhat and Nadhim Zahawi.

MPs will cast votes for their favoured candidate today in a secret ballot, with the least supported dropping out before the second round tomorrow, along with any getting fewer than 30 votes.

Former Health Secretary Sajid Javid and outsider Rehman Chishti quit the contest shortly before nominations closed after failing to secure enough support.

And in another dramatic development, Priti Patel announced she was not entering the race. Earlier, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps withdrew to back Mr Sunak.

Ms Truss last night set out her policy plans, saying: “We cannot afford to be putting up tax. We need to reduce it and create investment opportunities and growth.