A Tory loyalist splashed out a massive £25,000 for a signed copy of Liz Truss's Tory conference speech, it is reported - as the PM addressed a £1,500-a-head fundraiser.
The eye-watering sum was pledged for a transcript of the awkward half-hour speech at a plush event at London's five-star Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday.
Ms Truss's conference speech, which was interrupted by Greenpeace protesters, saw her admit that tax cuts for the rich had "became a distraction" after being forced into a humiliating U-turn.
She was also mocked after claiming the UK needs to "grow the pie so that everyone gets a bigger slice".
More than 250 business figures and Tory donors packed into this week's fundraiser as the party descends into chaos, with Ms Truss fighting to stay in office after less than two months in the top job.
Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and security minister Tom Tugendhat were among the ministers present, it is understood.
A dinner with executive officers of the powerful 1922 Committee - which gives backbench MPs a chance to question the Tory leadership - also sold for around £25,000, it is reported.
The mega-rich supporters heard Ms Truss double down on her controversial tax cuts, outlined in Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget, The Telegraph reports.
It comes amid increasing speculation that the government will be forced into further humiliating U-turns after the measures caused market turmoil and sent the Tories spiralling in the polls.
Yesterday influential Tory Mel Stride, who chairs the influential Treasury Select Committee, says he is among those who expects Mr Kwarteng will have to row back further.
But the government today said it has no intention of U-turning again - having already scrapped a proposal to cut the tax rate for the UK's highest earners following a Conservative mutiny.
Mr Stride told the House of Commons that the Chancellor faces a "huge challenge" in reassuring the markets after weeks of chaos and coming up with plans which are politically acceptable.
He said: "Given the huge challenges, there are many, myself included, who believe that it's quite possible that he will simply have to come forward with a further rowing back on the tax announcements that he made on September 23."
Ms Truss faces a revolt from within her own party over her botched handling of the economy,
Tory MP Robert Halfon accused the PM of “trashing the last 10 years of Conservatism” by handing tax cuts to the rich.
And after a grim meeting with backbenchers last night, at which the PM was said to look shell-shocked, another MP said: “Liz either needs to get rid of her tax cuts or it will be her who is gone.”
Tory Stephen Hammond said it would be “sensible” for the PM to U-turn on corporation tax, as he urged her to prioritise “making sure the poorest in our society are looked after”.
