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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
John Stevens

Personalised 'Jenga' lectern used by Liz Truss during 49 days as PM cost taxpayers £4,000

Taxpayers forked out more than £4,000 for the higgledy-piggledy lectern used by Liz Truss during her short-lived time in No10.

The eye-catching design made up of a stack of twisted wooden blocks was unfavourably compared to a Jenga tower.

The lectern was specially made for Miss Truss, but she only lasted 49 days as Prime Minister after she tanked the economy.

Two versions were crafted with one paid for by the Conservative Party and another by the Government.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, Downing Street revealed £4,175 of taxpayers’ money was spent on their version.

The eye-catching lectern was used by Miss Truss when she addressed the nation following the death of the Queen.

Rishi Sunak did not get a personalised lectern as there was not time to make one (PA)

She also stood behind it at an awkward press conference after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor in a desperate bid to save her premiership and as she announced her resignation in Downing Street.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “Not only did Liz Truss and the Conservatives topple the British economy and spike mortgage repayments, they’ve left taxpayers’ picking up the tab for this personalised lectern.

“Her choice of a Jenga design should have been a warning sign of the chaos she was about to unleash. This grotesque monument to failure should serve as a reminder that the Tories should never again be trusted with the nation’s finances.”

Unlike other Tory PMs, Rishi Sunak did not have a personalised lectern made for him as there was no time to design one in the rapid leadership contest that followed Miss Truss’s resignation.

No10 said the lectern he uses “was purchased under a previous administration” at a cost of £3,050.

During her seven weeks in power, Miss Truss sent the pound tumbling and mortgage rates soaring after she unveiled her catastrophic mini-Budget, which was packed with gigantic tax cuts for the super-rich.

She had to U-turn on nearly all her plans and sacked Mr Kwarteng, but was still forced out by Tory MPs. She is the shortest-serving PM in British history.

Liz Truss used her Jenga-style lectern at events including an awkward press conference after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor (Carlos Jasso/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Miss Truss has pledged to stay on as a backbench Tory MP and is already becoming a thorn in Mr Sunak’s side.

The ex-PM joined a revolt on wind farms and her allies have criticised his decision to shelve her planned childcare reforms.

Despite her terrible record as PM, Miss Truss is currently considering an idea put forward by her friends for her to set up a think tank so she can keep pushing her plans for the country.

An ally last night said: “Liz was elected on a mandate to go for growth. Growth is a watchword that you will hear a lot about from her and others in the months to come.”

A government spokesman said: “Lecterns are routinely refreshed following regular use at press conferences and ministerial speeches, including domestic and international visits - with value for the taxpayer always kept in mind.

“Previous lecterns continue to be used and repurposed, including in other Government buildings.”

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