Boris Johnson and Liz Truss paid thousands after resigning as prime minister

This is a disgusting waste of taxpayers’ cash. Once again paid the price for failure, the corrupt Tory way.

Despite their horrendous premierships, both ended in disgrace, with both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss being forced to step down as prime ministers, having received more than £18,000 in compensation.

While millions struggle to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis, the couple were also awarded compensation as part of their severance package after their disastrous policies have caused financial hardship for millions up and down the country.

Documents from the Treasury’s annual accounts emerged just before MPs went on summer break, revealing 455,392 were paid to former ministers – some of whom had rejoined the government months after the Tories slump.

Treasury accounts also show that the truce chancellor, Kwesi Kwarteng, received a 16,876 severance package when he was sacked. Kwarteng has refused to apologize for the financial turmoil during his tenure.

Former Tory chief whip Chris Pincher, who resigned following revelations of molestation by two men at the exclusive Carlton club, was handed a payout of around £8,000.

The documents also show that the Truce’s decision to sack Sir Tom Scholar, the Treasury’s top civil servant, in September 2022 cost taxpayers around £335,000.

The payment to Truss and Johnson prompted widespread anger and condemnation, with one social media user writing: “This is a disgusting waste of taxpayers’ cash.” Once again paid the price for failure, the corrupt Tory way.

The Liberal Democrats responded to the news by saying: It is a disgrace that thousands of taxpayers’ cash are being showered on those responsible for their financial hardship when they are facing a cost-of-living crisis.

If he had any integrity left in him, he would have returned the payment.

Basit Mehmood is the editor of Left Foot Forward

Since you’re here, we have to ask you something. What we do here to deliver real news is more important than ever. But there’s a problem: We need readers like you to help us survive. We provide progressive, independent media that challenges hate speech related to rights. Together we can find the stories that get lost.

Billionaire wasn’t funded by donors, but instead relied on readers to contribute whatever they could to defend our freedoms. What we do is not free, and we work without thinking. Can you help us by contributing at least 1 a week to help us survive? We’re very grateful for anything you can donate – and we’ll make sure your money is used to deliver hard news as far as possible.