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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dan Bloom

Gina Miller launches campaign to personally oust 'failing' Tory Chris Grayling

Campaigner Gina Miller has announced she will run for Parliament against catastrophe-prone Tory Chris Grayling.

The former Cabinet minister nicknamed ‘Failing Grayling’ has a majority of nearly 18,000 in Epsom and Ewell.

But Ms Miller, who took the government to court over Brexit, said she will take him on at the next election after launching her own party called True and Fair.

She described the ex-Transport Secretary as the “dreadful epitome of a dozen years of narcissistic and incompetent Tory rule”.

Candidates for her new party will also take on controversial Tories Nadine Dorries in Mid Bedfordshire and Esther McVey in Tatton.

Ms Dorries could avoid the clash, due to rumours she will be given a seat in the Lords by ex-PM Boris Johnson. His resignation honours have not yet been published, and are expected to prove controversial.

Gina Miller outside the Supreme Court (Getty Images)

The businesswoman shot to prominence after winning a 2017 Supreme court battle which gave MPs the final say on triggering Brexit.

She later launched a campaign to publish "unspun facts" about Brexit to "disinfect the poisonous and unproductive" debate.

She also backed holding a second Brexit referendum to choose between the government’s deal, no deal, or staying in the EU.

Born on April Fool’s Day, Mr Grayling left government in 2019 after a string of controversies and U-turns.

Tory MP Chris Grayling (AFP via Getty Images)

As Justice Secretary he pioneered the part-privatisation of the probation system in 2014, fees for tribunals, and legal aid cuts.

As Transport Secretary he presided over disastrous train timetable changes.

Mr Grayling has previously insisted he's targeted unfairly, blaming criticism he receives on "left-wing" unions and support for Brexit.

He is thought to have backed Rishi Sunak for Prime Minister, making the prospect of a return to government.

Ms Miller said: “The people of Epsom and Ewell deserve far, far better than Failing Grayling, who is surely the least successful minister of the 21st century.

“He should be ashamed of his record of mistakes.

“Failing Grayling should stand down at the next general election.

“If he does not, I will work relentlessly to make sure this dreadful epitome of a dozen years of narcissistic and incompetent Conservative rule loses the seat.”

The anti-corruption campaigner said the government could raise £5.6bn by closing tax loopholes - enough to fund the salaries of 160,000 new nurses.

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