A SUSSEX MP has defied calls to back foreign secretary Liz Truss to be the next Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister after the candidate he backed was eliminated from the contest.

Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, had endorsed Suella Braverman to replace Boris Johnson 

However, she was eliminated from the race in the second round of the leadership contest yesterday, after being backed by the fewest number of MPs.

Ms Braverman was quick to announce she will support Liz Truss and said the Foreign Secretary will “unleash the opportunities of Brexit”.

She said: “I am confident she will defend free speech, champion equality of opportunity and take a robust line on illegal immigration. It’s what the British people expect.”

The Argus: Penny Mordaunt is the bookies' favourite to replace Boris Johnson as Prime MinisterPenny Mordaunt is the bookies' favourite to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister

However, Mr Smith has confirmed to The Argus he will instead back bookies’ favourite Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt to be the next Prime Minister.

Ms Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, came second in the vote yesterday with 83 votes. She placed behind former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who was backed by 101 MPs, and in front of Liz Truss with 64.

Supporters of Ms Truss have been accused of a “black ops” campaign against Ms Mordaunt, as they both fight to secure a place in the top two - who then are voted on by Conservative Party members to elect a new leader.

Truss backer and Transport Minister Wendy Morton denied claims of any untoward campaigning after former Cabinet minister David Davis criticised attacks made towards Ms Mordaunt.

Speaking on Times Radio, Ms Morton said: “What I am involved in is a campaign to get Liz Truss elected as the next leader of the Conservative Party because I happen to think, I know, that she is the right candidate.

“I worked with her at the Foreign Office and I saw first hand how hard-working she is, how dedicated she is, and how she just gets on with the job and she delivers.”

Mr Smith is now the third MP in Sussex to back Penny Mordaunt, with Mid Sussex MP and former Employment Minister Mims Davies and Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell both also endorsing her.

The new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister will be announced on September 5.