RISHI Sunak said he was “grateful” to his predecessor Liz Truss when asked if he would apologise on behalf of the Tories for the “damage she caused” to the economy.
The Prime Minister faced questions from MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday as Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy visited London for the first time since the Russian invasion.
Earlier this week, Truss penned a 4000-word essay blaming the “left wing economic establishment” for crashing the UK economy, rather than her tax slashing mini-budget.
SNP Westminster group leader Stephen Flynn used his slot to ask Sunak whether he regretted Liz Truss’s time in office.
Sunak acknowledged “mistakes had been made”, but added his Government had a “clear plan to halve inflation and grow the economy”.
Speaking in the Commons, Flynn said “it will be an honour for all of us to listen to President Zelenskyy this afternoon”, before switching his question onto the previous Tory prime minister.
He said: “In recent days, the former prime minister [Liz Truss] said that she did not regret her time in office. Does the Prime Minister regret her time in office?”
Amid laughter from MPs across the chamber, Sunak replied: “I am grateful to all my predecessors for the contribution that they made to public life, but can I join with [him] in saying that I know the whole house will be looking forward to hearing from President Zelenskyy at the conclusion of PMQs?”
Flynn spoke of the “damage” done to the UK economy as he asked: “So, on behalf of the Tory party, will he apologise for her?”
Referring to Truss’s ill-fated 49 days in office, Flynn told the Commons: “Hold on a minute. Let’s reflect upon the damage that was caused: £30 billion wiped off the UK economy, pension funds brought to the brink of collapse, the pound reaching parity with the dollar and interest rates for mortgage holders right across these isles soaring.
“Now, the former prime minister wouldn’t apologise for the damage that she has caused. So, on behalf of the Tory party, will he apologise for her?”
Sunak replied: “On the first day that I took office, I said that mistakes had been made. But what we have done is to ensure that right now…
"He mentioned the pound, the pound (is) at a multi-month high, borrowing costs restored back to where they should be, an economy stabilised, and a clear plan to halve inflation and grow the economy.
“That’s what the Conservatives are delivering in Government and we continue to deliver as well, for the people of Scotland.”
It comes as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy staged a surprise visit to the UK and spoke to parliamentarians in Westminster Hall shortly after PMQs ended.
Prior to Zelenskyy's address, Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer staged a show of unity in support of the UK’s backing for Ukraine- during their exchange at PMQs.
And, the PM promised training for pilots and also Ukrainian marines so they can “mount further offensives”.
Starmer said “Putin and all his cronies must stand at the Hague and face justice” when the war is over.
In response, Sunak said he had discussed the situation with Zelenskyy and “I’m hopeful we will see the first indictments very shortly” at the International Criminal Court.
The expansion of the UK’s training programme to include jet fighter pilots is significant given Zelensky’s call for Western planes.
The UK has so far refused, arguing that the RAF’s F-35 and Typhoon jets take too long for pilots to train on.
LibDem leader Ed Davey urged the UK to ban the Wagner Group, Russian paramilitaries, on the day of Zelenskyy's visit as a symbolic gesture.
He said: “They are doing Putin’s bidding, carrying out atrocities against Ukrainians on a daily basis. So on this symbolic day will the Prime Minister finally commit to proscribing the Wagner Group, a crucial part of treating Russia as the rogue state that it is?”
Sunak said sanctions were already placed on the organisation, and said the government would keep the issue "under review".
Elsewhere, SNP MP Dave Doogan said the "fiscally illiterate" electricity generator levy will "choke off billions" in furture investments and renewable energy projects.
Doogan suggested this could impact thousands of potential green jobs in Scotland, and in his Angus constituency.
He asked the PM if he will commit to scrapping the tax or if Sunak and "this latest Chancellor know the price of everything and the value of nothing?"
Sunak replied: "No, I don't think it's right that because of a war, when energy companies are making windfall profits, that those profits should go on tax."
The PM said instead that the UK recovers "excess profits" from energy firms and gives that support back to the public through support with energy bills.
