LIZ Truss arrived in the Commons to hear her Chancellor’s fiscal announcement after attending “urgent business” which made her unable to answer an urgent question on the sacking of Kwasi Kwarteng.
The Prime Minister, who faces being ousted by her Tory colleagues just weeks into the job, sat staring straight ahead as Jeremy Hunt explained how the previous mini budget is being reversed.
The Conservative leader was unreactive as she listened to Hunt’s speech, and blinked throughout. She sat to hear shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves give her response, but left before the SNP's Alison Thewliss was able to speak.
As Mordaunt took questions on Kwarteng's sacking, she insisted that Truss was “not under a desk” hiding from MPs amid calls for her to quit.
Shouts of “where is she?” and “weak” could be heard in the Commons after Mordaunt deputised for Truss to respond to an urgent question on the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint a new Chancellor.
Commons Leader Mordaunt said: “With apologies to the Leader of the Opposition and the House, the PM is detained on urgent business… and I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with me.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer mocked Truss as he said: “The lady is not for turning – up."
READ MORE: LIVE: Latest on Liz Truss no-confidence fears as Jeremy Hunt reverses tax plans
SNP deputy Westminster leader Kirsten Oswald accused Truss of “hiding in Downing Street”.
She said: “A Prime Minister terrified to answer for the mess she has made.
“The mess which will cause so much harm to all of our constituents….
“Can the leader of the House tell us exactly where on earth is the Prime Minister and if she doesn’t even have the backbone to show up here today, is there really any point in her showing up here again? Surely time’s up, she needs to go and let the people decide.”
Mordaunt also apologised in the Commons that the events leading to the changes have “added to the concerns” about the “major volatility” in the economy.
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