International Trade Secretary Liz Truss Speaks to G&T on Dominic Cummings and More

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has told Times Radio that the public will draw their own conclusions about the motivations behind Dominic Cummings' claims about the Prime Minister.

Speaking to Gloria De Piero and Tom Newton Dunn she said:

I think the public will draw their own conclusions about the motivations behind this. Certainly, from speaking to members of the public in my constituency their focus is much more on the vaccine programme, how we're reopening the economy, what Britain's future interests are, how we're going to make sure that jobs are greater protected. That's what the public are concerned about and I'm sure they will draw their own conclusions about the allegations that have been made.

On how Boris Johnson paid for the refurbishment of the Number 10 flat:

The important thing here is that the Prime Minister has met the costs of the flat refurbishment and there is information published in the House of Lords on Friday on this subject. All of the reporting is taking place in line with the rules and the costs have been met.

All of the information that needs to be in the public domain has either been made public, or will be made public in line with these refurbishments taking place. We're absolutely committed to that as a Government.

Liz Truss was also asked if she feels a sense of "sisterly solidarity" when she sees some of the things that are written about Carrie Symonds in the press:

I do think there is an issue with the portrayal of women in the media and I don't like to see personal and sexist attacks taking place.

On the support being offered to India as the nation struggles to cope with the Covid pandemic:

The particular need at the moment is around oxygen and we are working on a package to be able to support India because this is a devastating situation. It's very, very difficult. India is a very important friend and ally and my heart goes out to the Indian people and the circumstances they face. We're doing all we can to help support that immediate effort.

And after MI6 Chief, Richard Moore, told Times Radio that the organisation has begun 'green spying' on big industrial countries to make sure they uphold their climate change commitments, she said:

I do think that it's important that countries abide by their international obligations. And in terms of the trade space, one of my concerns is countries like China aren't being transparent about their subsidies or are unfairly undercutting British business and we need to hold them to account. That's what I'm doing through the World Trade Organisation and likewise, if countries sign up to climate change commitments and don't follow them then that is a matter of concern.