Tory MPs hoping to succeed Boris Johnson floundered on live TV when asked if the current PM is honest - as they clashed in an often tense debate.
The five remaining leadership candidates, who locked horns in a Channel 4 hustings in front of 'swing' voters, were grilled over a string of issues including Mr Johnson's conduct.
In a damning moment, not a single audience member held up their hand when asked by host Krishnan Guru-Murthy whether they trusted politicians - highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the winner.
And just three said the government is doing enough to tackle the cost of living crisis as candidates argued over economic policies - with Rishi Sunak likening Liz Truss' plans to a "fairy tale".
Only 10 audience members raised their hands when asked if they were more likely to vote Conservative after hearing their answers.
Click here to read what the five candidates' key policies are
In a segment which will make uncomfortable viewing for Mr Johnson, none of the five appeared willing to back him when asked if he was honest.
Kemi Badenoch responded: "Sometimes", while Tom Tugendhat shook his head.
Penny Mordaunt, who declined to give a yes or no answer, said: "There have been some really severe issues and I think he has paid a price for that."
Former Chancellor Mr Sunak - who resigned just two days before the PM was forced out - said: "I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt for as long as possible and ultimately I reached the conclusion that I couldn't, and that's why I resigned... There were a number of reasons that I resigned but trust and honesty was part of that."
And Ms Truss said "he has been very clear himself that he made mistakes in Government" but she had taken his explanation for inaccurate statements over partygate "at face value".
Mr Tugendhat admitted that a "clean start" is needed, telling viewers: "Trust in our party has been collapsing, we know we need a clean start."
He added that candidates need to make it clear they are acting in the public's interest, and not just trying to advance their career.
Mr Sunak - who Mr Guru-Murthy pointed out did not resign until the "very last minute" - said: "I always tried to give the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt, but that became increasingly hard."
Ms Badenoch said she would not call a General Election, but said: "It's time to tell the truth," saying the party has previously been guilty of avoiding telling the public difficult truths.
Although the leadership rivals all tried to present an impression of unity within the party, there were several snappy moments during the debate.
Ms Truss denied "getting the dogs out" on Ms Mordaunt, who emerged as a favourite earlier this week, saying: "I'm running an entirely positive campaign."
Meanwhile candidates clashed over economic plans, with Mr Sunak rubbishing Ms Truss's solutions to the UK's economic woes.
"Borrowing your way out of inflation isn't a plan, it's a fairytale," the clearly irritated former Cabinet member fumed.
Ms Truss - who said she thought it was "wrong" to put up taxes" - pinned the blame for rising inflation on the Bank of England, saying "we have inflation because of our monetary policy, that we haven't been tough enough on the monetary supply, that's the way that I would address that issue".
National Insurance proved to be a sticking point between candidates.
In a dig at his rivals, Mr Tugendhat said: “I’m the only one who didn’t vote for the rise in National Insurance and now it sounds like everyone agrees with me."
An unimpressed Ms Badenoch retorted that it was easy to criticise "from the back of the class" - pointing out that the MP was not in a senior role at the time.
And Mr Tugendhat took issue with Mr Sunak claiming he took a principled position, saying: "You did it because the boss wanted it."
After 12 years of Tory government, those aiming for Number 10 were also forced to admit that the NHS backlog is "terrifying" and "appalling".
Ms Badenoch told the Channel 4 debate: "The backlog is terrifying.
"I don't know how much viewers can see of my teeth, I chipped my tooth several months ago, I haven't been able to get a dental appointment to fix it.
"I know how hard it is to get appointments at the moment, I see it in my constituency with people - not just dentists but GP appointments, not getting face-to-face appointments and not being able to get the treatment they need in hospital."
Ms Truss branded ambulance waiting times "appalling" as candidates were grilled over how they would improve public services.
She said: "We need to help patients in rural areas. I'm a rural MP, some of the ambulance waiting times in Norfolk are appalling."
Earlier today they took part in a hustings event for Conservative Home, which was notable for a Rishi Sunak gaffe - when the former Chancellor claimed his biggest fault was being a perfectionist while sitting in front of a mis-spelled sign.
So far the Tory hopefuls have clashed on tax cuts, but candidates have been accused of missing the issues that are most important to Brits.
All the while, Brits use washing-up liquid as shampoo and energy bills are set to explode on October 1.
IFS think tank director Paul Johnson said: “I'm particularly struck by the juxtaposition of the focus of the debate on tax cuts, and lack of focus on public services, on the one hand.
“And the really awful stats that came out of the NHS yesterday showing record pressures on almost all aspects of the service.”
It’s true there are huge holes in what the candidates are saying about help for the poorest. But here’s what we do know so far.
Earlier today Suella Braverman - who was dumped out of the race for Number 10 yesterday - issued a direct appeal to her supporters in the Tory leadership contest to rally behind Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
The Attorney General, who was eliminated in the second round of voting on Thursday, said that, out of the remaining candidates seen as coming from the right of the party, Ms Truss is best-placed to make it into the final ballot of party members.
She heaped praise on Kemi Badenoch, the former equalities minister, describing her as a "great woman" who could do a fantastic job as prime minister "one day".
But she said Ms Truss, who has been in the Cabinet for eight years, is ready to take the reins of power and would not need to "learn on the job".
Ms Braverman's appeal will come as a welcome boost to Ms Truss, who needs to pick up a significant slice of her 27 votes from the second round if she is to make up ground on the frontrunners Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt.
