Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has attracted backlash after mocking Rishi Sunak’s expensive taste in clothing on a trip to Teesside - while getting the spelling of the area wrong.
Ms Dorries, who is supporting Liz Truss in the Conservative leadership race, retweeted reports comparing Mr Sunak’s £450 Prada shoes and £3,500 suit to Ms Truss’ £4.50 earrings.
The former Chancellor's pricey designer footwear first came under the spotlight after he wore them on a trip to the Teesworks construction site with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.
Guildford MP Angela Richardson, a supporter of Mr Sunak, responded to the tweet, writing: “FFS Nadine! Muted.”
Ms Dorries previously admitted to owning a pair of diamond earrings worth £6,000 in a resurfaced interview from 2007.
Ms Dorries wrote Ms Truss "will be travelling the country wearing her earrings which cost circa £4.50 from Claire Accessories. Meanwhile… Rishi visits Teeside (sic) in Prada shoes worth £450 and sported £3,500 bespoke suit as he prepared for crunch leadership vote.”
The spelling mistake caught the attention of many Twitter users, with one writing: "Maybe check the spelling of Teesside, Culture Sec." Another said: "It's spelled Teesside, genius, all that levelling up the North is paying off I see."
Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer also responded to the interaction, saying it was time to “raise the standards.” He tweeted: “The puerile nature of this leadership contest is embarrassing.”
Mr Sunak was pictured wearing Henry Herbert suit and Prada shoes during a recent visit to the construction site near Redcar.
The trip took place ahead of the vote which saw Mr Sunak and Ms Truss selected by Tory MPs as the final two candidates in the leadership race.
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