Prime Minister's Questions viewers spotted a "problem" as Liz Truss tried to defend her controversial budget.
The PM was grilled by Labour leader Keir Starmer for the first time since she announced her economic plans. The mini budget sent the markets and the pound into freefall and triggered an emergency intervention from the Bank of England.
Official data released today showed the UK economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.3% in August. Sir Keir demanded the Conservatives reverse the "kamikaze budget" as he accused the Tories of going on a "borrowing spree".
READ MORE: Liz Truss unlikely to 'move on up' in the polls after drab Tory conference speech
Ms Truss was jeered by the Labour benches as she tried to claim the government had "taken decisive action" to prevent energy bills from rising to £6,000. Viewers following PMQs on Twitter, BBC and Sky News were similarly baffled during the defence.
Kwasi Kwarteng was one of the key figures in devising the budget, but viewers on Twitter spotted the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not present on the front bench.
Nic said: "Where is Kwarteng today?"
Mike added: "notice Kwarteng is absent...."
@jettisonbaggage commented: "Kwarteng nowhere to be seen. Ducking responsibility and glaringly absent!"
Phillipe posted: "Kwarteng missing from the front bench"
Daniela commented : "Why is Kwasi Kwarteng not at #PMQs"
Richard said: "Isn’t it really unusual & suspicious that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, is not sitting on the government front bench, is nowhere to be seen, at today’s Prime Minister’s Questions?"
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