Body language expert Judi James has offered an insight into the mannerisms of Liz Truss - and the impression she gave the public in her first speech. She defeated rival Rishi Sunak by 81,326 votes to 60,399 to win the Tory leadership, and will replace Boris Johnson in No 10 on Tuesday.
Judi said Ms Truss's "beam of delight was quickly replaced by a more sober facial expression" as she delivered her victory speech. In it, she vowed to deal with the energy crisis - with millions of people desperate to hear what will be proposed to tackle the huge hike in bills.
Follow the leadership result, reaction and what's next here
After watching her speech, Judi told the Mirror: "Her beam of delight, with her chin tucked in as she gazed fondly at the rest of her audience was quickly replaced by a more sober facial expression as she appeared to square up to the enormity of the task ahead.
"Her repeated and sustained hand gesture was that of holding both hands out to her sides at lectern height, pushing away slightly and with the fingers spiked and extended.
"This suggested a request for calm and also a pushing away of any criticism or attacks. It was as though she wants to put a lid on the problems first before she starts to tackle them. It looked like a desire for space and time."
As her name was announced, Ms Truss "barely moved apart from her signature chin-slew gesture" of a side to side subtle wobble, which Judi suggests could become a give-away tell.
Judi added: "There was a beaming smile tinged with a ad-lower of modesty before she calmly took her notes and stood up to take to the stage."
Her movements were in "complete contrast" to Boris Johnson, whose physical gestures of clenched fists and wild arm swings "iimplied he was in physical battle mode."
"Truss’s gestures lack power and bite," said Judi.
"Her foot splay hints at defiance and even stubbornness but her expressions and gestures suggest she’s currently in ‘holding bay’ mode rather than battle mode."
Mr Johnson will depart No 10 on Tuesday and Ms Truss will fly to Balmoral to meet the Queen for the formal handover of power.
Mr Sunak said the Tories were “one family” and “it’s right we now unite behind the new PM, Liz Truss, as she steers the country through difficult times”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “We’ve heard far more from the latest prime minister about cuts to corporation tax over the summer than we have about the cost-of-living crisis, the single most important thing that’s bearing down on so many millions of households.
“That shows not only that she’s out of touch, but she’s not on the side of working people.”
