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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Namita Singh,Matt Mathers and Andy Gregory

Tory leadership debate - live: Calls mount for ‘Fizz with Liz’ sleaze probe as rivals face new clash

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Tory leadership race: Liz Truss insists U-turn over regional pay policy shows she is ‘decisive’

Rishi Sunak has insisted that there is no point in which he would stand aside for Tory leadership rival Liz Truss, despite multiple polls placing the foreign secretary significantly ahead of the ex-chancellor.

The two contenders set out their differing views on a range of policies in another live hustings debate, as opposition parties called for Ms Truss to face a “sleaze” probe over an apparent failure to declare thousands of pounds donated to an event where she schmoozed Tory MPs in her leadership bid.

Labour appealed to the cabinet secretary, and the Liberal Democrats wrote to the parliamentary commissioner for standards, asking her to open an investigation into the funding of a hospitality event, including champagne, attended by around a dozen Conservative MPs.

The Independent has revealed how she did not declare the thousands of pounds put towards the “Fizz with Liz” dinner, although MPs are obliged to disclose hospitality worth more than £300.

The event was paid for by club owner, multimillionaire aristocrat Robin Birley.

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