LIZ Truss’s campaign has launched an attack on her Tory leadership competitor, accusing Rishi Sunak of “aggressive mansplaining” during their televised BBC debate.
Although the Conservative hopefuls hugged at the end of the hour-long debate, a spokesperson for Truss was criticising Sunak’s “shouty private school behaviour” before it was even over.
Viewers had noted that Sunak interrupted his rival throughout the programme, as they debated the consequences of tax cuts and borrowing for the public purse.
“Much as I respect @RishiSunak, it’s not a good look for him to be constantly interrupting and talking over @trussliz,” tweeted Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser during the broadcast.
“FFS @RishiSunak let the woman answer the questions without interruption,” wrote another Tory campaigner. “Your behaviour borders on misogyny.”
The former chancellor picked apart Truss’s economic strategy, pointing out that her own economic adviser had said her plans could lead to interest rates of 7% - causing “misery” for homeowners.
Truss, meanwhile, criticised Sunak’s tax-raising while in office and said if he became prime minister there would be a recession.
The Foreign Secretary also refused to “disown” the remarks made by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries on her and Rishi Sunak’s fashion choices – comments which came amid back-and-forth briefings against one another over the weekend.
Despite the clashes throughout the debate, the pair finished the programme with kind words – as Truss said she would give Sunak a job in her Cabinet.
But according to reports, a spokesman for Truss – while the debate was still ongoing – said: “Rishi Sunak has tonight proven he is not fit for office.
“His aggressive mansplaining and shouty private school behaviour is desperate, unbecoming and is a gift to Labour.”
Sunak’s own campaign responded to the debate by arguing it showed why he had “won the argument on the economy”.
“Truss did not distance herself from her economic adviser Patrick Minford’s seven per cent interest rate prediction which would mean mortgage misery for millions,” a spokesperson said.
“Her plans would leave our children and grandchildren with billions of pounds worth of debt. That is not what the Conservative Party is about.
“We need someone that has the consistency and courage of their convictions. And that’s what Rishi will bring as Prime Minister.”
