Liz Truss accused of ‘hiding away’ after sending Penny Mordaunt to face MPs in her place

Prime minister Liz Truss was right now accused of “hiding away” from scrutiny after she dodged questions within the Home of Commons, sending Penny Mordaunt in her place.

There was loud and derisive laughter from Labour benches as Ms Mordaunt informed MPs that the prime minister couldn’t flip as much as reply an pressing query on the financial disaster ensuing from her botched mini-Price range as a result of she was “detained on pressing enterprise”.

Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer mentioned that Ms Truss must be exhibiting management right now, however informed MPs: “The girl’s not for turning up.”

Sir Keir thanked Ms Mordaunt for answering a query addressed to the PM, joking: “I suppose below this Tory authorities, everyone will get to be prime minister for quarter-hour.”

The Labour chief added: “It’s time for leaders to guide. However the place is the prime minister? Hiding away, dodging questions, petrified of her personal shadow. The girl isn’t for turning – up.”

Shouts of “the place is she?” and “weak” may very well be heard within the Commons after Ms Mordaunt appeared on the despatch field within the PM’s place.

And there was laughter from the Labour benches because the Commons Chief mentioned: “With apologies to the Chief of the Opposition and the Home, the PM is detained on pressing enterprise… and I’m afraid you’ll must make do with me.”

However Ms Mordaunt gave the jeers quick shrift, telling MPs: “I believe when it comes to the opposition’s efficiency, I believe Larry the cat may give them a run for his or her cash.”

Sir Keir mentioned that Ms Truss not has a mandate, and had left a “vacuum” as a substitute of management on the high of presidency.

He informed the Commons: “Now’s a time for constant messaging. However what can we get?

“A major minister saying completely no spending reductions, a chancellor saying there shall be cuts. A major minister saying she’s in cost, a chancellor who thinks he’s the CEO and he or she’s simply the chair.

“How can Britain get the soundness it wants when all the federal government gives is grotesque chaos? How can Britain get the soundness it wants, when as a substitute of management we have now this utter vacuum?

“How can Britain get the soundness it wants when the prime minister has no mandate from her occasion and no mandate from the nation?”