The Secretary of State for Wales is now backing Liz Truss, having previously backed Rishi Sunak. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Sir Robert says the change of heart “wasn’t easy to do”. She points to her policies on the economy and reforming the Human Rights Act as why she has fallen behind the foreign secretary. Liz Truss slams civil service ‘anti-Semitism’ claim – policy updates The change of heart comes as Mrs Truss remains the frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister. Sir Robert, who called on Boris Johnson to resign as prime minister before taking a job in his cabinet, wrote: “I have considered ideas and principles first and personalities second. During the parliamentary rounds I supported Rishi Sunak as I felt that he was at that stage embodying what we needed.”
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Mr Sunak was the front-runner on the parliamentary stage – but failed to garner such strong support among Tory MPs. “As the campaign progressed, and as I listened carefully to both candidates, I thought deeply about the issues that move me and what I want to see the next prime minister do,” added Sir Robert. “Changing one’s mind on an issue like this is not an easy thing, but I have decided that Liz Truss is the right person to take our country forward.” Sir Robert was sacked from Johnson’s cabinet earlier this year before being reinstated after the prime minister agreed to stand down. Meanwhile, Sunak supporter and cabinet member Dominic Raab spoke to The Times about his support for the former chancellor. He is pushing back against criticism of his preferred candidate over claims he caused Mr Johnson’s downfall while hatching a plan to run for the top job himself. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:41 Who is in charge right now? Mr Raab said: “Anyone who thinks Rishi stabbed Boris in the back is kidding himself. “Liz has been doing a lot of business with her Fizz for Liz – dinners with MPs – for months. Rishi worked very hard to make the relationship with the Prime Minister work, he explained why in the end he couldn’t stay. “I say this as someone who has been steadfastly loyal to the Prime Minister.” Read more: Boris Johnson admits cost of living support isn’t enough Labor to unveil ‘comprehensive’ cost of living plan on Monday Speaker refuses to reveal why MPs wanted parliamentary attendance figures deleted In response, Liz Truss supporter Nadine Dorries tweeted: “Liz may have had drinks with MPs – but she didn’t quit her job, she didn’t leave, she didn’t secretly campaign MPs for votes, register a website and was not ready for a campaign or part of a planned coup. . “Sunak was. You can’t rewrite events.”