Tory leadership: Nadine Dorries defends Claire's Accessories attack on Rishi Sunak

Nadine Dorries has renewed her attack on Tory leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak, claiming he led a "ruthless coup" against Boris Johnson and criticising his choice of clothes.

The culture secretary faced criticism earlier this week for taking a swipe at Mr Sunak's "Prada shoes".

She said that, by contrast, his leadership rival Liz Truss shopped at high street store Claire's Accessories.

Defending the remarks, she said leaders had to "understand" voters' lives.

She also said she was "bitterly disappointed" by the way Boris Johnson was ousted by his own MPs.

But she dismissed suggestions the prime minister was supporting a campaign to get his name on the ballot paper for the Conservative leadership election.

She said Mr Johnson had told her: "'Tell them to stop, it's not right' - they were his words, his exact words."

The Mid Bedfordshire MP described as "fabricated" claims she could step down to allow Mr Johnson to stand in her safe Conservative seat rather than his current constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

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The prime minister's downfall followed the resignation of several of his ministers - including Mr Sunak who stepped down as chancellor.

Mr Sunak has defended his decision, arguing that things "on the conduct side were not right" and that the two men had different views on the economy.

However, Ms Dorries - a fierce ally of the current prime minister - has been strongly critical of the ousting of Mr Johnson, saying it had "unleashed the hounds of hell".

Conservative MP Roger Gale hit back at suggestions there had been a coup, tweeting Mr Johnson "was forced to resign when too many of his ministers and backbenchers like myself made it plain that we were no longer prepared to tolerate his casual relationship with the truth".

On Monday, Ms Dorries tweeted: "Liz Truss will be travelling the country wearing her earrings which cost circa £4.50 from Claire's Accessories. Meanwhile... Rishi visits Teesside in Prada shoes worth £450 and sported £3,500 bespoke suit as he prepared for crunch leadership vote."

Some Conservative MPs reacted angrily, with Tobias Ellwood saying: "Enough blue on blue. Let's seriously raise the standard of debate."

Asked about her comments on Thursday, Ms Dorries told BBC Breakfast: "Judgment is a huge issue. We are facing a cost-of-living crisis."

She said there was no barrier to someone wealthy becoming prime minister, but added: "It's about judgment and it's about who voters can relate to and who voters think have walked in their shoes and can understand their lives."

Questioned about the cost of her own clothes and accessories, she acknowledged that she owned a £6,000 pair of earrings which her late husband bought for their 25th wedding anniversary.

She also said she owned one pair of expensive shoes, but argued her situation was different to Mr Sunak's because "I am not and never will be running to be prime minister".

Mr Sunak - who made millions in banking before becoming an MP and whose family is in the Sunday Times Rich List - was questioned about his wealth during a TV debate with Ms Truss on Monday.

He said that during his time as chancellor he had helped "some of the most vulnerable people" and also emphasised he was not born into a wealthy family.

"I wasn't born this way. My family emigrated here 60 years ago, my mum ran the local chemist in Southampton... I am standing here because of the hard work, the sacrifice, and love of my parents and the opportunities they provided to me.

"And that's why I want to be prime minister because I want to ensure that everyone, your children, and grandchildren have the very same opportunities that I had."

Ms Truss - who polls suggest is the frontrunner in the leadership contest - declined to join in the attack on Mr Sunak's choice of clothes, simply saying she didn't know how Ms Dorries knew "where I got my earrings from".

Ballot papers for the Conservative leadership contest will arrive on party members' doormats next week, and the winner will be announced on 5 September.

Over the next few weeks there will be 12 hustings for Conservative members to question the final two candidates.