Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has mocked Rishi Sunak over his expensive taste in clothing.
Ms Dorries, a supporter of Mr Sunak’s leadership rival Liz Truss, pointed to reports that the millionaire former chancellor has been pictured wearing a £3,500 suit and £490 Prada shoes.
She said Foreign Secretary Ms Truss is more likely to be seen in a pair of £4.50 earrings from high street chain Claire’s.
It is the latest sign of the bitter, highly personal nature of the Tory leadership battle.
Nadine Dorries and Rishi Sunak
PA
The Tory leadership race has been whittled down to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak
PA
Mr Sunak was seen wearing a Henry Herbert suit – worth a reported £3,500 – ahead of the vote which saw him and Ms Truss selected by Tory MPs as the final two candidates to be the next Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.
His choice of Prada shoes on a visit to a construction site in Redcar also caught Ms Dorries’ attention.
The Culture Secretary said Ms Truss “will be travelling the country wearing her earrings which cost circa £4.50 from Claire's Accessories.
“Meanwhile… Rishi visits Teeside in Prada shoes worth £450 and sported £3,500 bespoke suit as he prepared for crunch leadership vote.”
Guildford MP Angela Richardson, a supporter of Mr Sunak, shot back: “FFS (for f***’s sake) Nadine! Muted.”
Ms Truss and Mr Sunak are the final two candidates in the running to become the next Conservative Party leader.
The new leader will be announced on September 5 and is expected to become prime minister the following day.