Liz Truss is "enjoying a well-deserved break" after qutting No10 just 49 days into her term as Prime Minister, one of her closest political allies has said.
The comments from Therese Coffey came amid claims the country's shortest-serving Prime Minister was told her economic plans could leave the City reduced to "rubble".
On Tuesday Ms Truss handed over the keys to No10 to her successor Rishi Sunak after she lost the support of Tory MPs and was forced to rip up her mini-Budget.
Ms Coffey was Deputy Prime Minister under Ms Truss and was reappointed to the Cabinet on Tuesday as Environment Secretary.
Asked on Sky News how the ex-PM is fairing following her rapid downfall, she told Sky News: "I have of course been in touch with Liz. She's a good friend.
"She's with her family. I think she's enjoying a well-deserved break."
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ms Coffey added Ms Truss is spending "good quality time with her family" after what has "clearly" been a "high tempo time" for them.
"I'm pleased that they're getting that time together," she said.
"I look forward to Liz returning - and as she said, she'd be serving the people of her constituency, South West Norfolk, from the backbenches.
"I believe that she will continue to be a strong advocate of key Conservative principles. I look forward to seeing her again when she's come back from her short break with her family."
According to a new book due to be published next month - examining Ms Truss's rise to No10 and sudden downfall - she was told by Treasury officias her plans risked the City turning into "rubble".
Authors Harry Cole and James Heale quoted a No10 aide saying on the eve of Kwasi Kwarteng being sacked as Chancellor: "Thursday 13th was terrible.
“They said the Pound was basically going to crash to such a level that we would struggle to sell our debt, in the way a Third World country does."
