Boris Johnson news – live: Liz Truss backed by Ben Wallace as Labor poll lead soars

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Rishi Sunak says Margaret Thatcher is the best Tory leader in history

Liz Truss' campaign for number 10 has been boosted by a major endorsement after she and rival Rishi Sunak faced a grilling of voters in the first official roundups with Tory members in Leeds.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, gave his support to Ms Truss, as he criticized Mr Sunak for 'walking through the door' of Boris Johnson's Cabinet.

Faced with a series of tough questions from members Tories during Thursday's election campaign, one of the party loyalists confronted the former Chancellor for 'stabbing Boris Johnson in the back', telling him that 'some people don't want to see that in the No. 10" despite being "a good salesman".

Mr. Sunak responded by saying it had become clear that there was "a significant difference of opinion" between the two on the country's economic direction.

Meanwhile, the latest exclusive survey from Savanta for The Independent showed Labor soaring to a 13-point lead - approaching the party's best showing since Sir Keir Starmer became leader in 2019.

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