Penny Mordaunt shuts down rumours she’s set to be next PM as she backs Rishi Sunak

PENNY Mordaunt denied there are plans to install her into Downing Street “like a new boiler” and insisted she will continue to back Rishi Sunak after the local elections.

The Commons Leader said rumours she will challenge the PM’s leadership after bruising local election results have no truth.

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Her comments come as Tory rebels have long marked May 2 and the following days as the time when they may try to force Mr Sunak out if the party suffers heavy losses.

But when challenged in the Commons by Labour, Ms Mordaunt sought to end speculation of her leadership ambitions, saying: “Yes, I too have read that I’m to be installed rather like a new boiler into number 10 next week.

“I have to say there is as much truth to these stories as there is in Labour’s assurances to its business community that it isn’t actually going to do the things it’s been saying it’s going to do, as it’s promised its union paymasters.

“But let me say again, I support our Prime Minister and I will continue to support him after this weekend and beyond.”

READ MORE ON LOCAL ELECTIONS

odds on

Here is who is standing in the London mayoral elections 2024

TENSIONS RISE

London mayoral election on knife edge as Rishi Sunak braces for key result

Experts say the Conservatives could lose between 400 and 500 councillors and their two most popular mayors — Ben Houchen and Andy Street — in today’s local elections.

If Mayor for Tees Valley Mr Houchen loses, then Tories expect the knives to come out for Mr Sunak.

It was previously reported that Labour are scrambling to play down the idea they could beat Mr Houchen.

But secretly, they are said to be desperate to show they are clawing back voters in the all-important Red Wall.

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Some think that this battle is personal for the party’s leader Sir Keir Starmer.

He nearly quit the position in 2021 when they lost the by-election in Hartlepool — which sits in Mr Houchen’s patch.