Rishi Sunak, one of the two contenders to replace British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Monday defended his decision to quit the government and help end Johnson's scandal-tarnished leadership.
Allies of Johnson accuse Sunak of treachery for stepping down as U.K. Treasury chief last month as the government floundered amid ethics scandals, with a resignation letter, saying "we cannot continue like this." More than 50 government ministers went on to quit, leaving Johnson no choice but to resign as Conservative Party leader.
Sunak said his critics were "looking at the last few months of the government with slightly rose-tinted glasses." He said "the government found itself on the wrong side of a very serious ethical issue." Sunak is running as an experienced minster who can guide the country through the economic turbulence caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. He was the favorite candidate among Tory lawmakers who whittled down the field of candidates from an initial 11 contenders.
Sunak's replacement as finance minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said he was backing Truss because she offered a "booster" economic approach compared to "doomster" Sunak.
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