Defence Secretary Ben Wallace endorses Liz Truss for PM

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has backed Liz Truss for Conservative leader and prime minister.

Writing in The Times, he said Ms Truss was "authentic" and had the experience to address the country's challenges.

Mr Wallace was himself seen as a contender, but ruled himself out early on in the contest.

Ms Truss's leadership rival Rishi Sunak said he was "winning round" Conservative Party members ahead of ballots going out next week.

"I'm fighting hard for every vote," he told the BBC.

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In his article, Mr Wallace, who is popular among Tory members, said he had sat with Ms Truss, the foreign secretary, in "cabinet, bilateral meetings and international summits" and that she might not be a "slick salesperson", but she "stands her ground" and "is straight and means what she says".

The defence secretary told BBC Breakfast Ms Truss's commitment to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 was one of the reasons for his endorsement.

In his article, he listed major issues facing the UK, including the economic aftermath of the Covid pandemic, global inflation, and the threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying: "[Ms Truss] is the only candidate who has both the breadth and depth of experience needed to confront these challenges."

He added that former chancellor Mr Sunak would make a "fine member of anyone's cabinet" and "could do the job of prime minister", but criticised his decision to resign from Boris Johnson's government earlier this month.

He argued that cabinet ministers had an "obligation" to stay in post and that quitting was "the wrong way to go about it".

Rishi Sunak has promised to deport more foreign criminals if he becomes prime minister

Speaking in her constituency of South West Norfolk, Ms Truss praised Mr Wallace as a "fantastic" defence secretary.

Asked about his comments on Mr Sunak's resignation, she replied: "I can't speak for other people, but I felt it was important for me to be loyal to Boris Johnson and also to continue as foreign secretary when we are in the worst war on European shores in a generation."

Mr Sunak left the government on 5 July, citing concerns over Mr Johnson's conduct and differences of opinion on the economy.

Speaking on a visit to Tunbridge Wells, he insisted he could "absolutely" beat Ms Truss in the vote featuring around 160,000 Tory members, despite bookmakers suggesting the foreign secretary is the favourite.

"I'm out and about across the country, having incredibly positive conversations with our members, winning them round to our arguments about how to build a better Britain," he said.

He added that he was the "best person to bring the party back together" and the "best person to beat Labour at the next election".

Liz Truss spoke to Nick Ferrari at the first hustings in the leadership race

The first hustings in the leadership race, hosted on Thursday by LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, saw Mr Sunak discuss reforms he would introduce to the education system. Asked if he was in favour of the return of grammar schools, he replied: "Yes".

His team later clarified he would expand existing grammar schools in "wholly selective areas" and maintain commitments under the Selective School Expansion Fund, which funds the expansion of certain state schools that select by ability.

Following the hustings, Mr Sunak also promised to double the number of foreign criminals deported if he became prime minister.

He said the UK was "far too soft on foreigners who commit crime in our country" and proposed a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" rule, meaning foreign criminals who are sent to jail three times would be deported, regardless of the length of the sentences.

During her own appearance, Ms Truss, who spent her school years in Leeds, said it was "fantastic" to return to her old stomping ground.

She said she learned "grit, determination and straight-talking" from Yorkshire, calling it a useful skill, as "we face a huge global economic crisis".

Ms Truss also repeated her pledge to deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail scheme in full and said she wanted to "channel the spirit of Don Revie" - the former title-winning Leeds United and England football manager - because "we need to win".