Liz Truss slams Sunak over economy in visit to Sussex

The pair have continued to trade barbs in an increasingly heated leadership contest to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.

Speaking at a campaign event in Sussex yesterday, Ms Truss attacked Mr Sunak and told Sky News his plans would “put off people who want to invest in Britain”.

She said: “Let’s be clear, his plan is to raise taxes.

“He is planning to raise taxes on corporations, putting our taxes up to the same level as France.

“That is going to put off people who want to invest in Britain. And I know there are masses of opportunities right across the country.

“Less investment will mean fewer jobs, fewer opportunities, lower wages and lower productivity in the future - so it’s cutting off our nose to spite our face.

“The fact is that we promised in our manifesto not to raise national insurance. I thought it was wrong at the time to do so, and that is why I would reverse that.”

The foreign secretary is widely seen as the frontrunner in the race to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister

The comments came before a second televised head-to-head clash between the two leadership hopefuls, organised by broadcaster TalkTV and The Sun.

However, the debate was dramatically halted and subsequently cancelled after host Kate McCann fainted live on air.

The show was just over halfway through before a loud noise interrupted the foreign secretary mid-sentence. Viewers saw Ms Truss hold her hands to her face in shock before the debate was taken off-air.

TalkTV’s owners, News UK, confirmed that Kate McCann is fine but that the debate would be cancelled following medical advice.

Ms McCann, political editor for TalkTV, had been due to co-host the debate with The Sun’s political editor Harry Cole, but he was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19.

Both Ms Truss and Mr Sunak tweeted to wish the journalist well.