Posted: 17:09, July 11, 2022
Norfolk MP Liz Truss is facing criticism over claims she used taxpayer-funded footage in the video launching her campaign to become Britain’s next prime minister.
The clip was released on Monday morning as the foreign secretary announced he was entering the race to succeed Boris Johnson.
It shows Mrs Truss, who is also MP for South West Norfolk, meeting a series of dignitaries from around the world, in footage used for the first time in videos believed to have been produced by staff of the Foreign Office – and therefore funded by the taxpayer.
Questions were also raised about the appropriateness of using state resources for political campaigning.
Chris Bryant, the Labor MP who chairs the House of Commons standards committee, said: “It is very worrying that the Foreign Secretary does not seem to understand the difference between the national interest and his own self-interest.
Chris Bryant, chairman of the House of Commons Standards Committee, said Ms Truss “seems to have used her office solely to advance her own career”. – Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
“It is equally disturbing that she appears to have used her office solely to advance her own career.”
The ministerial code, which provides guidance for ministers, states: “Official facilities paid for from public funds must be used for government publicity and advertising, but cannot be used for the dissemination of material that is party political in nature.”
The Foreign Office was repeatedly approached for comment on whether Ms Truss’ campaign team had sought permission to use the clips, but the department did not respond.
Neither they — nor Ms. Truss’s office — responded to questions about the appropriateness of using the footage in a campaign video.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss meets European Commission Vice President Maros Šefčovič for talks in central London on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Photo date: Friday, February 11, 2022 – Credit: PA
But in comments to Sunday Times journalist Tim Shipman, Ms Truss’ team pointed out that Jeremy Hunt’s 2019 campaign video for party leader also contained footage of him meeting foreign officials filmed by the Foreign Office.
“I don’t remember them making a fuss back then,” said one of them.
Mr Shipman later tweeted: “The Foreign Office Permanent Secretary has now approved the Liz Truss launch video. An insolent ambassador is blamed for the dispute.’
Ms Truss, who represents the constituency of Thetford, Downham Market and Swampham, has served as Foreign Secretary since September 2021 and before that as International Trade Secretary.
She used the video to highlight her experience on the world stage, showing her at meetings in India, the Persian Gulf and elsewhere.
Norwich North MP Chloe Smith (pictured) has backed Norfolk colleague Liz Truss to become leader of the Conservative Party – Picture: Richard Townshend Photography
The MP has so far won the support of Norwich North MP Chloe Smith in her bid to become leader, along with 14 other parliamentary colleagues.
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