Tory leadership – live: Liz Truss civil service anti-semitism claims ‘abhorrent’

Liz Truss's claims that she will tackle “woke” Civil Service culture that “strays into antisemitism” are “inflammatory” and will be viewed as “insulting and abhorrent”, a union leader has warned.

The foreign secretary was blasted by the head of the FDA, which represents civil servants, for providing “no evidence for her accusation”, which he said “goes further than the usual dog-whistle politics” of the leadership election.

It comes after the Truss campaign said she would “change woke Civil Service culture that strays into antisemitism”.

In response, FDA general secretary Dave Penman said: “The Conservatives have been in Government for more than 12 years now and, for most of that time, Liz Truss has been a minister.

“A prime minister is also minister for the Civil Service, and throwing around such unfounded inflammatory accusations illustrates a lack of leadership, the very thing that she claims to be demonstrating.”

Key Points

• Liz Truss Civil Service antisemitism claims ‘abhorrent,’ union boss warns

• Zahawi: Cost of living options ‘ready’ for next PM to choose

• Sunak warns Truss plan could put vulnerable at risk of ‘destitution’

• Rishi Sunak reveals Boris Johnson has been ignoring his calls

• Johnson claims he is pressing energy firms to ease cost of living crisis

• Liz Truss ‘asked Nicola Sturgeon about how to get into Vogue’

• Boris Johnson won’t say whether he will keep ignoring Rishi Sunak’s calls

Labour MPs fear Keir Starmer’s cautious approach could help Liz Truss

15:17 , Matt Mathers

MPs increasingly fear the party leader has swallowed whole a New Labour playbook 25 years out of date, writes Andrew Grice.

Read Andrew’s full piece below:

Labour MPs fear Keir Starmer’s cautious approach could help Liz Truss | Andrew Grice

05:17 , Stuti Mishra

Welcome to The Independent’s UK politics blog for 12 August 2022 where we provide the latest on the Tory leadership race and all that’s buzzing in Westminster. Stay tuned!

Sunak warns Truss plan could put vulnerable at risk of ‘destitution’

05:21 , Stuti Mishra

Rishi Sunak has warned his rival’s cost-of-living plans could put vulnerable people at risk of “real destitution”, as economic policy once again drove a wedge between the Tory leadership hopefuls.

As the pair took to the stage for the latest hustings for party members, the former chancellor claimed that without further direct payments, pensioners and those on very low incomes could face serious hardship.

But Liz Truss stood by her tax-cutting plans, warning against “Gordon Brown economics” where “you take money off people in taxes and give it back in benefits”.

Read the key highlights from yesterday’s sixth husting:

Sunak warns Truss plan could put vulnerable at risk of ‘destitution’

Rishi Sunak reveals Boris Johnson has been ignoring his calls

05:44 , Stuti Mishra

Speaking at the latest hustings in Cheltenham, former chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed the prime minister has been ignoring his calls since he resigned from cabinet.

Mr Sunak sparked Boris Johnson’s downfall by being one of the first ministers to abandon their post in early July, alongside former Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

Rishi Sunak speaking about Boris Johnson

Read what more the former chancellor said:

Rishi Sunak reveals Boris Johnson has been ignoring his calls

Sunak supporters celebrate his lead in Telegraph poll

06:13 , Stuti Mishra

A liveblog poll running during yesterday’s Cheltenham hustings hosted by The Telegraph saw Rishi Sunak get more votes than his contender Liz Truss, who is otherwise seen as leading the race.

The poll, only carried out on the website among readers visiting the live feed does not have a varied sample like surveys to represent the mood of the public but with over 70,000 votes, it was enough for supporters of the former chancellor to celebrate that he is still very much in the race.

Mel Stride, chair of the treasury select committee, declared quoting the poll results: “This race is only half way through, wide open and it is @RishiSunak who has the momentum.”

Liz Truss appears to forget where she is at Conservative hustings

06:30 , Stuti Mishra

Tory leadership contender Liz Truss yesterday evening appeared to forget where she was, as she told the audience at Cheltenham hustings that they were in Derbyshire, writes Andrew Woodcock.

There was no response from the Tory members attending the event at the Gloucestershire town’s famous racecourse, and Ms Truss ploughed on with her comments without correcting herself.

Read more:

Liz Truss appears to forget where she is at Conservative hustings

Johnson claims he is pressing energy firms to ease cost of living crisis, but without offering anything

06:45 , Stuti Mishra

Boris Johnson has said he will continue to press the energy sector to “work on ways” to help ease the cost of living crisis – but announced no new government support after crunch talks.

Resisting pressure to act immediately, the outgoing prime minister said after a meeting with the electricity sector in Downing Street that it will be for his successor in No 10 to make “significant fiscal decisions”.

Ashley Cowburn has more:

PM urges energy firms to ease cost of living crisis – but no new support announced

Liz Truss ‘asked Nicola Sturgeon about how to get into Vogue’

07:00 , Stuti Mishra

Nicola Sturgeon has said Tory leadership frontrunner Liz Truss asked her about how to get into Vogue, writes Neil Pooran.

The first minister said Ms Truss “looked a little bit as if she’d swallowed a wasp” after Ms Sturgeon told her she had been in Vogue twice.

Read more:

Liz Truss ‘asked Nicola Sturgeon about how to get into Vogue’

Inflation: a beginner’s guide

07:17 , Stuti Mishra

This video explains what inflation is and its effect on economies:

Economy shrinks by 0.1% as recession fears grow

07:42 , Sam Rkaina

The UK’s economy contracted in the last three months, new data show, further stoking fears that a recession might be around the corner.

Gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% during the three months to the end of June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

It is a big step down from the first quarter of the year, when GDP rose 0.8%.

The service sector was particularly badly hit, falling by 0.4% over the quarter, ONS experts said. A large part of this was in health and social work, and came as less money was spent on the fight against Covid-19.

GDP fell 0.6% in June, and the ONS revised its May estimate from growth of 0.5% to just 0.4%.

ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said: “With May’s growth revised down a little and June showing a notable fall, overall the economy shrank slightly in the second quarter.

“Health was the biggest reason the economy contracted as both the test and trace and vaccine programmes were wound down, while many retailers also had a tough quarter.

“These were partially offset by growth in hotels, bars, hairdressers and outdoor events across the quarter, partly as a result of people celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.”

The Bank of England has warned that the UK might enter recession later this year.

Zahawi says economy has been ‘incredibly resilient’

07:50 , Sam Rkaina

Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi said: “Our economy showed incredible resilience following the pandemic and I am confident we can pull through these global challenges again.

“I know that times are tough and people will be concerned about rising prices and slowing growth, and that’s why I’m determined to work with the Bank of England to get inflation under control and grow the economy.

“The Government is providing billions of pounds of help for households with rising costs, including £1,200 for eight million of the most vulnerable households.”

Health ‘biggest reason’ for contraction

07:55 , Sam Rkaina

Commenting on the gross domestic product (GDP) figures that showed a 0.1% contraction in the second quarter of the year, Office for National Statistics director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said: “With May’s growth revised down a little and June showing a notable fall, overall the economy shrank slightly in the second quarter.

“Health was the biggest reason the economy contracted as both the test and trace and vaccine programmes were wound down, while many retailers also had a tough quarter.

“These were partially offset by growth in hotels, bars, hairdressers and outdoor events across the quarter, partly as a result of people celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.”

Labour MP defends Starmer ‘absence’ during cost crisis

08:05 , Sam Rkaina

Asked where Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer currently is as the cost-of-living crisis continues, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told LBC: “He is working like he does every day on the job. I honestly cannot fault the man’s work ethic.”

Pressed about whether the opposition leader was on annual leave, Mr Reynolds added: “I think he is spending some time with his family and that is the right thing to do, but I cannot fault the man’s work ethic, he has been relentless since he became leader of the opposition.”

Mr Reynolds also said Labour was “getting the detail” of its plans ready to intervene on rising energy bills, adding it had only had success with calling for a windfall tax because its proposals were detailed and costed.

Truss insists energy firm profits ‘not evil or dirty'

08:15 , Sam Rkaina

Conservative leadership favourite Liz Truss defended the energy giants’ huge profits, insisting that they should not be seen as either “dirty or evil”.

It comes as the oil and gas industry chiefs urged Truss and her rival Rishi Sunak to scrap the windfall tax on profits as soon as possible – and not to extend it beyond 2025.

Truss – who is resisting opposition calls to expand the windfall tax – said: “I don’t think profit is a dirty word. And the fact it’s become a dirty word in our society is a massive problem.”

Click here for the full story.

Coffey says ‘every option’ for cost of living is on the table - including handouts

08:30 , Sam Rkaina

Liz Truss supporter Therese Coffey has said that “every option”, including handouts, will be considered when it comes to support with the cost of living.

Asked by Sky News whether Ms Truss would consider handouts to help with energy prices rises if made prime minister, Work and Pensions Secretary Ms Coffey said: “Absolutely, every option will be considered in terms of support schemes that may be needed, whether it is a targeted way or the general way of removing that national insurance increase which Liz is absolutely committed to do in an emergency budget.

“People are going to get help. I think it is about what change in help may be needed, but help is already being given and will be given in the future as well.”

Ms Coffey suggested the Government is “getting ready” to provide more help once Ofgem has announced the new price cap.

She added: “Of course, we need to wait formally for Ofgem to report at the end of the month and then we can take further steps potentially, but I think … the reason I am supporting Liz is to get that growth, to make sure people have more money in their own pocket instead of waiting for Government to do these schemes and pay people back.”

Work and Pensions Secretary downplays £5,000 bill warning

08:40 , Sam Rkaina

Average energy prices next year will be “nowhere near” the predicted £5,000, a minister has said.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Just like happened in May, we waited for Ofgem to come out with the formal changes on what might happen to energy prices or what would happen with the price cap.

“All the figures I have seen does not in any way suggest an average energy bill next year of £5,000, nothing near like that.”

Liz Truss supporter Ms Coffey added: “Nevertheless, Government is preparing now … for options to be considered and, as I say, we will take the necessary steps including, if necessary, new primary legislation which we would need to undertake.”

Watch Truss lose direction at Cheltenham hustings

08:50 , Sam Rkaina

Liz Truss mistakenly told the Cheltenham hustings she was in Derbyshire, despite the town being located in Gloucestershire.

When asked how she is going to tackle the cost of living crisis, the Tory leadership challenger told Conservative members she wants to concentrate on “lowering taxes”.

Ms Truss then appeared to get her counties mixed up, saying “we need to get on with delivering the small modular nuclear reactors which we produce here in Derbyshire”.

Her claim was still met with a small round of applause from the Cheltenham audience.

Labour shadow chancellor accuses Tories of losing control of economy

09:00 , Sam Rkaina

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The economy shrinking. Inflation skyrocketing. It is clearer than ever that the Conservatives have lost control of the economy.

“With the Bank of England forecasting a recession lasting the whole of next year, the Conservative leadership contenders need to stop playing to the gallery and start coming up with a serious plan to get Britain’s economy back on track.

“Labour will take the action that’s needed now to get people through the cost-of-living crisis and build the stronger, more secure economy Britain deserves.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Under the Conservative government’s current plans, the Bank of England says that we are heading for a recession.

“Ministers must do much more to get pay rising. We need an early boost to the minimum wage this autumn and pay rises across the public sector that keep up with inflation. This will help protect demand and business confidence.”

Shrinking economy shows government ‘missing in action’, say Lib Dems

09:15 , Sam Rkaina

Responding to figures which show that GDP fell by 0.6 per cent in June, the Lib Dems’ Treasury spokesperson for Sarah Olney MP said: “The warning lights are flashing red but the government is missing in action.”

“There’s no time to waste, ministers must act now to boost confidence and avoid a recession.

“It’s time to reassure families by scrapping the energy price rise, funded through a windfall tax on the record profits of oil and gas giants.”

Truss considering ‘every option’ on energy bills, says Coffey

09:30 , Matt Mathers

Liz Truss supporter Therese Coffey has said that “every option” – including direct support payments – will be considered when it comes to dealing with energy bills, our politics correspondent, Adam Forrest, reports.

Asked by Sky News whether Ms Truss would consider handouts to help if made prime minister, the work and pensions secretary said: “Absolutely.”

She added: “Every option will be considered in terms of support schemes that may be needed, whether it is a targeted way or the general way of removing that National Insurance increase which Liz is absolutely committed to do in an emergency budget.”

But Coffey again emphasised tax cuts over “handouts” when talking about further steps. “The reason I am supporting Liz is to get that growth, to make sure people have more money in their own pocket instead of waiting for government to do these schemes and pay people back.”

Sunak ramps up promises to tackle cost-of-living crisis

09:47 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has ramped up his promises to tackle the cost-of-living crisis as he seeks to gain ground on his rival in the Tory leadership contest.

The former chancellor has said he is prepared to find up to £10 billion of extra support for those facing rising bills in the autumn – with a vision to cover the total cost for up to 16 million vulnerable people, according to The Times.

Amy Gibbons reports:

Sunak ramps up promises to tackle cost-of-living crisis

Brexit: Don’t rush into bad trade deal with India, business chiefs warn government

10:00 , Matt Mathers

Top British business bodies have warned the government against rushing into a bad trade deal with India to meet a self-imposed deadline to get it “done by Diwali”.

Our politics correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Don’t rush post-Brexit trade deal with India, business chiefs warn

Truss tax idea would save poorest just 76p a month, says Blair think tank

10:15 , Matt Mathers

Liz Truss’s plan to reverse the recent increase in National Insurance contribution would save households on the lowest incomes an average of just 76p a month, according to the Tony Blair Institute, Adam Forrest reports.

The think tank said the tax cut would leave the richest households in the UK better off by £93 a month. Then institute also said Rishi Sunak’s proposals to cut VAT on fuel will have “little to no impact for low income households”.

Ian Mulheirn, chief economist at the Tony Blair Institute, said: “Ideas floating around in the Conservative leadership contest … will do almost nothing to help the people who are most exposed this winter.

“A serious response will require the new prime minister to extend and expand chancellor Sunak’s support package. The cost will be in the tens of billions, but there is no alternative.”

Coffey ‘insulted’ by GMB host’s claim in angry clash over energy bills

10:30 , Matt Mathers

Theresa Coffey said she was insulted by a TV presenter’s suggestion that the government is playing politics with the cost of living crisis.

The work and pensions secretary, who is supporting Liz Truss in the Tory leadership contest, was asked why Ms Truss has refused to commit to offering more help with energy bills.

Ms Coffey claimed the best way to help families is to cut taxes.

Watch the exchange here:

Zahawi: Government has cost of living ‘options ready to go'

10:50 , Matt Mathers

The government has a number of plans to tackle the cost of living crisis ready for the next prime minister to choose, Nadhim Zahawi has said.

The chancellor’s comments came after a government meeting with energy companies ended without any new measures to bring down rising gas and electricity bills.

He told Sky News: "My message to families today is: we will have those options ready to go.

"Yesterday I met with the industry to look at what more we can do with the industry on direct debit, on pre-payment meters, all the things that families are worried about, we're making sure we're doing the work so on September 5 the new prime minister can hit the ground running and get those things into place."

Asked if extra direct grants to families this winter are inevitable, Mr Zahawi said: "We're looking at all the options of what additional help we can deliver for families to get them through the winter - £37 billion, we're midway through that actual delivery."

More comments from the chancellor here:

Drought looms and private companies are failing us – water should be in public hands

11:15 , Matt Mathers

While paying billions of pounds in dividends to their shareholders, water companies are wasting billions of litres of water every day, writes Carla Denyer.

Read Carla’s full piece here:

Opinion: Private companies are failing us – water should be in public hands

Truss would change ‘woke’ civil service culture

11:30 , Matt Mathers

Liz Truss claims she will target "woke" Civil Service culture that "strays into antisemitism" as part of efforts to protect and support the British Jewish community.

The foreign secretary has also set her sights on boosting links between the UK and Israel, with a plan to secure a free-trade deal, her campaign said.

In a written statement issued after she spoke at a synagogue in Manchester, Ms Truss insisted the culture in the Civil Service can be "changed".

She also pledged to review whether schools are doing enough to educate pupils and teachers about antisemitism, and said that university campuses must be "ridded" of the issue.

Ms Truss said: "Every organisation has its culture, but it's not fixed, it can be changed.

"That's what ministerial leadership is about: it's about making sure that the policies we represent, the values we stand for, are reflected in what we do."

PM: Public can expect more help with energy bills

12:06 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson insisted on Friday that hard-hit households can expect extra help to tackle the spiralling cost of living and energy bills, regardless of who succeeds him as prime minister.

He also signalled that he believes the current package of measures are not enough to support British households amid a worsening economic outlook.

He said: “The price of energy we're going to bring down by investment in British supply in renewables, in nuclear and all the other.

"I'm not going to pretend that things are easy for people right now. You're right to push me because we're doing everything that we can.

"But there's more money coming anyway, as a result of the decisions being taken, there will be further help coming in October and in the new year."

Scrapping windfall tax would leave ‘black hole’ in Truss plan, says Sunak camp

12:30 , Matt Mathers

The Rishi Sunak campaign has criticised Liz Truss over her comments on windfall taxes, our politics correspondent, Adam Forrest, reports.

Truss backer Therese Coffey refused six times this morning to say whether or not Truss will keep the existing windfall tax on oil and gas giants.

Truss told a hustings event last night that windfall taxes were about “bashing business”.

A Sunak campaign spokesman said scrapping the existing energy profits levy on oil and gas profits would blow “a further £5bn black hole in her plans”.

They added: “Hiding behind vague assertions will weary the public facing massive bill hikes in weeks. People need certainty now about whether they will get any extra help and when, and Truss needs to be honest about how it would be paid for.”

Boris Johnson is on holiday and the rest of the government has reached stalemate

13:00 , Matt Mathers

It seems an eon since Johnson announced on 7 July – now 36 days ago – that he was stepping down and would hand over to a new Tory leader after the election of a successor, writes politics editor, Andrew Woodcock.

Read Andrew’s piece in full here:

Editor’s letter: Johnson’s on holiday and the government has reached stalemate

Boris Johnson won’t say whether he will keep ignoring Rishi Sunak’s calls

13:02 , Thomas Kingsley

Boris Johnson has refused to say whether he will continue to ignore calls from his former chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The Tory leadership contender – who resignation last month help spark the cabinet revolt which ended Mr Johnson’s premiership – revealed the PM was no longer returning his calls and messages.

Grilled about the fall-out and whether he had spoken to Johnson since he quit, Sunak told a hustings event: “I haven’t – I’ve messaged and called but, unsurprisingly, he hasn’t returned my calls.”

Read the full story below:

Boris Johnson won’t say whether he will keep ignoring Rishi Sunak’s calls

ICYMI: Rishi Sunak’s unimaginable crapness in this contest has surely even taken him by surprise

13:20 , Matt Mathers

He still has plenty of time to reflect on possibly the most pyrotechnic political self-immolations of all time, writes Tom Peck.

Read Tom’s article here:

Rishi Sunak’s unimaginable crapness has surely even taken him by surprise | Tom Peck

Liz Truss Civil Service antisemitism claims ‘abhorrent,’ union boss warns

13:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Liz Truss's claims that she will tackle “woke” Civil Service culture that “strays into antisemitism” are “inflammatory” and will be viewed as “insulting and abhorrent”, a union leader has warned.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA, which represents civil servants, said: “The Conservatives have been in government for more than 12 years now and, for most of that time, Liz Truss has been a minister.

“So, accusations of 'Civil Service wokeism' are a little ironic, given it's essentially a criticism of their own leadership.

“However, Truss's accusation of antisemitism goes further than the usual dog-whistle politics that has been on display during this leadership campaign when it comes to the Civil Service.

“She provides no evidence for her accusation that many civil servants will find both insulting and abhorrent.

“A prime minister is also minister for the Civil Service, and throwing around such unfounded inflammatory accusations illustrates a lack of leadership, the very thing that she claims to be demonstrating.”

'That horrible woman up north': Jeremy Kyle attacks Nicola Sturgeon over independence

13:50 , Matt Mathers

Presenter Jeremy Kyle described Nicola Sturgeon as “that horrible woman up north” as he attacked Scotland’s first minister over her campaign for independence.

He wrongly suggested that the Tory Party’s handling of the cost of living crisis could see Ms Sturgeon end up in “power in a minute” and that he would be “happy” to see Scotland leave the UK.

Watch the clip below:

Companies could get more help with energy bills

14:08 , Matt Mathers

The government is considering ways to give further help to businesses struggling under the weight of their energy bills.

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said that it is “essential” to help heavy industry to cut production costs. He is proposing that the government increases the exemption from some environmental and policy costs that certain companies were given in March.

The new proposal – published as part of a consultation – would increase the exemption from 85 per cent to cover 100 per cent of the costs.

Kwarteng said: “With global energy prices at record highs, it is essential we explore what more we can do to deliver a competitive future for those strategic industries so we can cut production costs and protect jobs across the UK.”

August Graham reports:

Companies could get more energy bill help from ministers

More than 21,000 people brought to safety from Afghanistan

14:37 , Matt Mathers

More than 21,000 people have been brought to safety to the UK from Afghanistan, the government has said.

This includes British nationals and their families, Afghans who worked for the UK, and people identified as high-risk, such as women's rights campaigners, journalists and members of the LGBT+ community.

The update was provided following calls for information on the arrival of Afghan refugees ahead of the one-year anniversary of Taliban forces taking over the country by capturing Kabul on August 15 2021.

A separate up-to-date total for the number of Afghan refugees who have arrived in the UK was not given.

The total includes about 15,000 people who were evacuated during Operation Pitting, the initial British military rescue mission.

About 5,000 people have been brought to safety since the evacuation in August last year.

And about 2,000 locally employed Afghan staff and their families were taken out of the country before Operation Pitting under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), which launched in April 2021.

So far, 10,000 people have been brought to the UK under Arap.

BT and Post Office announce new strike action in rows over pay

15:15 , Matt Mathers

Workers for the Post Office, BT and Openreach are all set to stage fresh strikes in a dispute over pay, continuing the summer of industrial action by hundreds of thousands of union members.

More on this story as it comes in here:

BT and Post Office announce new strike action in rows over pay

Liz Truss comments about woke civil service ‘straying into antisemitism’ condemned as ‘abhorrent’

15:45 , Matt Mathers

Tory leadership favourite Liz Truss’s vow to tackle “woke” civil service culture that “strays into antisemitism” have been strongly condemned by government staff and union leaders.

The FDA organisation representing civil servants said the “inflammatory” comments were “insulting and abhorrent” – saying they “go further than the usual dog-whistle politics” of the Conservative leadership election.

Adam Forrest and Anna Isaac report:

Liz Truss attack on woke civil service ‘straying into antisemitism’ condemned

Labour MPs fear Keir Starmer’s cautious approach could help Liz Truss

16:15 , Matt Mathers

MPs increasingly fear the party leader has swallowed whole a New Labour playbook 25 years out of date, writes Andrew Grice.

Read Andrew’s full piece here:

Labour MPs fear Keir Starmer’s cautious approach could help Liz Truss | Andrew Grice

Johnson promises “meaningful ministerial meeting” on cost of living

16:47 , Sam Rkaina

Boris Johnson has instructed senior officials to plan a “meaningful ministerial meeting” with devolved governments on cost-of-living support.

Nicola Sturgeon has demanded a meeting with UK ministers to discuss help for households as prices soar.

In a letter to Mr Johnson on Monday, the Scottish First Minister said an emergency meeting, scheduled for September, cannot wait and must happen immediately.

Mr Johnson has now written back to Ms Sturgeon, saying: “I agree that the response to these pressures will be best served by the UK and devolved governments working collaboratively to navigate these challenges together.”

He has asked his permanent secretary for the union to “continue working with your officials to plan for a meaningful ministerial meeting with heads of devolved governments to consider how best to further support hardworking families”.

It is not known when a meeting will take place.

Truss comments on civil service “inflammatory”

17:15 , Sam Rkaina

Liz Truss’s claims that she will tackle “woke” civil service culture that “strays into antisemitism” are “inflammatory” and will be viewed as “insulting and abhorrent”, a union leader has warned.

The Foreign Secretary was blasted by the head of the FDA, which represents civil servants, for providing “no evidence for her accusation”, which he said “goes further than the usual dog-whistle politics” of the leadership election.

It comes after the Truss campaign said she would “change woke Civil Service culture that strays into antisemitism”.

It is understood this relates to a suggestion Ms Truss needed to “overrule” Foreign Office officials who had voiced doubts about her show of support for the Israeli prime minister at the UN Human Rights Council.

In an interview, she told the Jewish Chronicle she had stood alongside her “good friend” Yair Lapid, despite some in the department claiming this could lead to Britain becoming “isolated”.

Truss condemned for lack of evidence of ‘civil service wokeism’

17:30 , Sam Rkaina

FDA general secretary Dave Penman said: “The Conservatives have been in Government for more than 12 years now and, for most of that time, Liz Truss has been a minister.

“So accusations of ‘civil service wokeism’ are a little ironic, given it’s essentially a criticism of their own leadership.

“However, Truss’s accusation of antisemitism goes further than the usual dog-whistle politics that has been on display during this leadership campaign when it comes to the Civil Service.

“She provides no evidence for her accusation that many civil servants will find both insulting and abhorrent.

“A prime minister is also minister for the Civil Service, and throwing around such unfounded inflammatory accusations illustrates a lack of leadership, the very thing that she claims to be demonstrating.”

‘Anti-woke’ Truss accused of fuelling culture war ‘to appeal to bigots’ within Tory party

17:57 , Holly Bancroft

Liz Truss has been accused of seeking to appeal to a “bigoted” section of the Conservative Party’s base by positioning herself as “anti-woke”.

Equality campaigners denounced the leadership frontrunner’s “culture war games” and said they feared she would continue her “divisive rhetoric” if elected to No 10.

It comes as the foreign secretary provoked anger with an “inflammatory” attack on “woke” Civil Service culture that she claimed “strays into antisemitism”.

Her remarks, which were condemned by a union as “dog-whistle politics,” were the latest skirmish in a culture war which has permeated Ms Truss’s battle with Rishi Sunak to become PM.

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a prominent women’s rights activist, told The Independent: “She is feeding their base of politically illiterate bigoted idolators.”

Read the full story from Women’s Correspondent Maya Oppenheim:

‘Anti-woke’ Truss accused of fuelling culture war ‘to appeal to bigots’

17:57 , Sam Rkaina

We’re pausing our live politics for the evening, but keep reading www.independent.co.uk for the latest updates.