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EXCLUSIVE: Liz Truss sparks Tory infighting after sacking MPs who didn't back her for PM

Tory whips in charge of Commons discipline were told at the beginning of the leadership campaign they should remain neutral during the contest - but they were then asked to support Liz Truss

Prime Minister Liz Truss(AFP via Getty Images)

Liz Truss is sparking a Tory civil war by sacking the Government enforcers who did not pass her loyalty test.

Tory whips in charge of Commons discipline were told at the beginning of the leadership campaign they should remain neutral during the contest.

But Ms Truss sent her henchman James Duddridge to reverse that and he pressed 11 whips to publicly support her.

The two whips who did not - Morcambe, Lancs MP David Morris, 56, and Julie Marson, 57, MP for Hertford, Herts - were sacked last week while the others kept their jobs or were promoted.

One top Tory said: “This government is becoming a cult. Everyone has to swear allegiance to the Truss. The PM is saying you’re mine now and I own you otherwise you’re out.

“That’s not the way to win the friends the PM will so desperately need.”

David Morris MP(PA)
Craig Whittaker MP(Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament ()

Of the 11, Mr Duddridge became a middle ranking minister at International Trade and Craig Whittaker was promoted to Deputy Chief Whip.

David TC Davies got the Welsh Office, Gareth Johnson was made a Justice minister, Scott Mann went to Environment and Suzanne Webb became the PM’s parliamentary secretary.

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