A row broke out among the European Research Group after Marc Francois, its chairman, told hard-line Brexit-backing Tory MPs to vote for Liz Truss as Tory leader.
Mr Francois wrote to the group’s 60 members on Wednesday night urging them to vote for the foreign secretary – after Suella Braverman, her eurosceptic rival, was dropped from the race. Details of the letter were first revealed by The Telegraph.
Mr Francois, who by then had already stood up for Ms Truss, told Tory MPs that “as a result” of Ms Braverman supporting Ms Truss “and as previously agreed – I hope that our whole group will now feel able to rally behind Liz.”
But the intervention sparked a furious backlash among Tory members backing a different candidate, with one telling him he was “really disappointed” at Mr Francois’ attempt to sway the vote.
“I didn’t know it was a breakout group”
Andrew Luer, one of the MPs, hit back on the ERG’s private WhatsApp group, telling Mr Francois that MPs in the group should “make up their own minds”.
“I believe that Cammy, who actually supported Brexit, represents the best chance for many of us who are taking our seats,” he said. “This weekend’s televised debate will, I believe, further show why.”
Lee Anderson, a Red Wall Tory who also supports Ms Badenoch, added: “I’m sorry but I didn’t realize it was a whipping group. I thought we were all free thinkers who could make up our own minds.
“A fair assessment of each candidate’s strengths and weaknesses would have more credibility. However, I suspect that colleagues will decide for themselves what they think is best for our party.”
Taking personal aim at Mr Francois, Mr Anderson continued: “I am really disappointed by this sign and I think the televised debates may tell a different story and show that this group is out of touch with public opinion.
“Personally, I don’t agree with publishing a statement like this, but if you have to, do it [it] it should have been done after the televised debates, otherwise we risk looking helpless.”
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