'No Pimm's with Penny': Mordaunt dismisses leadership bid rumours

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt has said she’s “more of a pints with Penny” woman as she dispelled rumours of a leadership bid and pledged to stand by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following local elections.

Responding to shadow leader of the House Nick Smith, she said: “I have to tell him and break it to him that it’s not going to be Pimms with Penny, I’m more of a pints with Penny person."

During Business Questions in the Commons on Thursday, Ms Mordaunt also said she thinks something will “crop up” before a general election to turn the tide of public opinion in favour of the Conservatives.

Ms Mordaunt has been one of several senior Tories at the focus of party leadership rumours, compounded this week by reports of a Tory rebels plot to oust Mr Sunak in anticipation of disastrous local elections results.

Mr Sunak has refused to rule out a July general election, amid speculation he could fire the starting gun early in a bid to avert a leadership battle.

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