Nadine Dorries has been "swanning around" the Department of Culture bragging she will be back if Liz Truss wins the Tory leadership contest, sources say.
The Culture Secretary’s brutal attacks on rival Rishi Sunak have prompted speculation about the reasons behind her support for the Foreign Secretary.
One Whitehall source said she was "pretty confident" about returning to the plum role if Ms Truss beats the former chancellor to No 10.
However, an ally of Ms Dorries insisted she had actually been “very circumspect" about keeping her job.
“She’s been very clear with the team that we don’t know what will happen,” they told the Politico website.
Combative Ms Dorries was one of Boris Johnson's most loyal lieutenants and has been leading blue-on-blue attacks on Mr Sunak - who some Johnson allies blame for the PM's demise.
Ms Dorries has pointed to reports that the millionaire former chancellor has been pictured wearing a £3,500 suit and £490 Prada shoes.
Suggesting the Foreign Secretary was more in touch with ordinary people, she said Ms Truss was more likely to be seen in a pair of £4.50 earrings from high street chain Claire's Accessories.
