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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dave Burke

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak condemn leaks as blue-on-blue infighting 'seeps through Tories'

The two remaining candidates vying to be the next Prime Minister have condemned leaking of government documents after weeks of blue-on-blue squabbling.

Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak's campaign teams issued statements moments apart vowing to report any instances to the Cabinet Secretary.

It comes amid allegations that sensitive papers had been leaked at key moments in the leadership campaigns, sparking investigations.

Earlier this month it was confirmed that a probe was underway after material aimed at damaging Penny Mordaunt's chances of reaching No 10.

And a memo that surfaced this week suggested Mr Sunak had been planning to deepen trade links with China during his time as Chancellor is also reported to be under investigation.

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss both issued statements condemning leaks this afternoon (PA)

This afternoon a spokesperson for Ms Truss said: "We condemn the leaking of Government documents and papers. Neither campaign condones leaks of material and will not use documents it receives.

"Furthermore, both campaigns will report any such leaks to the Cabinet Secretary who may take action directly, or via the police, against the individuals involved in perpetrating such leaks or receiving and not reporting material.

"We understand leak investigations will be carried out without fear or favour."

Meanwhile a statement from Mr Sunak's team said: "The Rishi Campaign condemns the continued and deliberate leaking of Government documents.

"We will continue to report all such leaks to the Cabinet Secretary who we expect to carry out full and proper investigations."

Documents that surfaced earlier this week suggested Rishi Sunak was close to agreeing a trade deal with China earlier this year (Julian Hamilton/Daily Miiror)
An investigation is underway into a leak aimed at damaging Penny Mordaunt (REUTERS)

A Tory insider told the i that continual leaks were causing friction within the party.

The source said: "Blue-on-blue is seeping into all levels of the party. Whoever takes the top job will have to do a lot of rebuilding to form a team.

“The continual spun leaks is also causing huge distrust – how can you have frank discussions on government with the prospect of that treatment hanging over you?"

Last week The Mirror reported that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case had written to civil servants warning against leaking sensitive material.

That followed the release of documents suggesting Ms Mordaunt, who was defeated in the final round of voting by MPs, had previously backed changing the rules around legally changing gender.

Mr Case wrote: “I have been very clear in writing with the Civil Service that it is paramount that public resources are not used to support leadership campaigns during the Conservative Party leadership election.

“Further to that, unauthorised disclosure of government information to the media is clearly inappropriate. "In light of these facts and the concerns you raise, I can confirm that I have launched a leak investigation into this matter."

Civil servant Mr Case said that the investigation would be "completed as quickly as possible, given the importance of the subject".

This week documents handed to The Times suggested that Mr Sunak came close to signing an economic agreement with China.

This stood in contrast to his position as a "hawk", the newspaper reported.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said this evening: "Leaks of Government information undermine our system of collective government, undermine public trust, and damage UK interests.

"The Government takes any allegations of leaks seriously and, where necessary, we investigate fully."

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