Felicity Cornelius-Mercer hit out at the new prime minister saying the system “stinks” just hours after Ms Truss’ reshuffle began. She also said her husband had asked Mrs Truss: “Why would you do this, who would be better in this role than me, which of your mates will get the job, did you promise a meritocracy?” And he claimed the new Tory leader replied: “I can’t answer that, Johnny.” Above a photo of a Muppet dressed as Mrs Truss during one of the televised debates, he added: “This system stinks and treats people horribly the best person I know fired by a moron.” Earlier, Mr Mercer, who did not say who he supported in the Tory leadership race, said he was “disappointed” to be sacked by the veterans’ affairs secretary. In an apparent jab at Ms Truss, who has been accused of packing her cabinet with a cabal of allies, he said he accepted the prime minister was “entitled to reward her supporters”. In a surprise move, the Plymouth Moor View MP also suggested he could quit the Commons. He said: “I have to accept that I will never have the qualifications required for lasting success in politics as it is, and to be fair to my wonderful family, I have to think about my future.” Mrs Truss began her cabinet reshuffle with a raft of supporters of her rival Rishi Sunak, sacking Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps and Steve Barclay. Mr Raab was not expected to stay in government after describing Ms Truss’s tax plans as an “election suicide note” during the leadership contest. Before she won the keys to No 10, Conservative MPs urged Ms Truss to unite the party and take a “big stage” approach. But her cabinet appointments on Tuesday suggested she has surrounded herself with allies and supporters. As he published his letter, Mr Mercer said it was “time for others to step up”. He also said he would spend time with his family “and will not make any media requests.”
