'The PM is not under a desk': Penny Mordaunt forced to defend Liz Truss's absence

In a bizarre exchange during an urgent question, brought to the House of Commons by Keir Starmer, Penny Mordaunt was forced to defend the absence of Liz Truss, who was unable to make it to the dispatch box in time.

Labour MP Stella Creasy said: 'For all we know, the prime minister is hiding under a desk' after Mordaunt informed the chamber that the PM had urgent business to attend to.

The Guardian on YouTube:

#LizTruss #KeirStarmer #Absent #HouseOfCommons #Conservatives #Labour #Politics #UK

[jwandrews]

Penny knew exactly what she was doing there. Anyone with basic media training knows "you never repeat the charge".

[michaelrch]

Mordaunt using that wording was definitely trying to humiliate Truss. And she succeeded 😂

[saltmerchant]

Penny sticking the dagger in there without just coming out and saying it.

[spartybrearly]

Penny’s playing the loyal cabinet member - courageously deflecting the criticism and sarcasm aimed at Truss - but is clearly loving every second of it. She appears strong, taking on the opposition single-handed with the backbenchers and media taking note.

[AbdullahMalik-tqwn]

In fairness, Mourdant is loving this. She can't wait to have a go once Truss is permanently binned off.

[titteryenot]

Truss may not be under a desk, but her policies have the rest of us over a barrel!

[RagingCookie]

First we had Bojo hiding in a fridge, now Truss under a desk

[theonetheonlyjoey]

It's gone way beyond the The Thick Of It

[JojyKAlex]

The humiliation is off the charts.. omg😅

[jodavies]

Penny would make a great comedian, the timing holding it together perfectly, 😂.

[jediofswtor]

And Penny was thinking. " Dang it. Why is she being a coward hiding under a desk?

[sotonteve]

We are not having a new self elected pm every few months, just to reset the election date everytime, we need an election.

[sickpup]

"No the PM is not under a desk" aka "Yes the PM was hiding under a desk." - Penny knew what she was doing ;)

[Martin-rhmf]

As many have pointed out, Penny played a masterclass 👩🏻‍🎓 She was at the crease, bat in hand 🏏... what was meant to be a tricky delivery actually suited perfectly the poised Penny... she took aim & smashed 💥 that ball ☄ out over the stands for a sensational 6 🥳...
By repeating the mocking remark in her answer, with a face as straight as a judge, Penny took her momemt with both hands 🙌 😹

[The-zlen]

she’s in the cabinet! not under her desk! for gods sake people!

[JamesBrown-uxds]

A historic moment - this will be in the books for a long time - and quoted later on occasions likewise for other PM.

[cncinc]

When you're so adamant that an accusation isn't true that you come across as distinctly sus.

[grahamturner]

Why is Mordaunt speaking? The deputy PM is sitting right there! Followed by Truss shortly after.

[attackpatterndelta]

How mortifying (or Mordauntifying, if you like) for Penny to have to stand up in front of the house and confirm the Prime Minister is not under a desk.

How did it come to this?

[Ditch_Head]

The uturn shows who’s the boss of this country. The money markets not government.