The note, which was circulated on the Tory WhatsApp group, reportedly attacks the former chancellor personally and accuses him of having a “big tax and big spend agenda”. According to The Telegraph, which first reported the “dirty note”, the 424-word rant against Sunak was written by someone on the right of the Thatcherite party. It is said to point out that Mr Sunak registered his campaign website in December, was “secretly” holding a US green card and disputed his comments explaining his wife’s tax status, as revealed by the Independent in April. A Tory source told the Independent that the memo shared by some MPs was part of a campaign across the right to stop the contest becoming a “coronation” for Mr Sunak. Tory MPs say some Johnson loyalists who remained in government jobs or accepted cabinet posts this week were still angry at Mr Sunak for his “betrayal” in helping to oust the prime minister from No 10. Grant Shapps appeared to attack the former chancellor in an interview with the Sunday Times. “I haven’t spent the last tumultuous years planning … I haven’t mobilized a leadership campaign behind his back.” It comes as Johnson’s staunch ally Zach Goldsmith, his Conservative peer who remains environment secretary, attacked Mr Sunak over his record on the environment. In a stunning Twitter outburst, he also likened Tory leader Mark Spencer to Brazil’s populist president Jair Bolsonaro. Lord Goldsmith claimed Mr Spencer – one of Mr Sunack’s senior campaign backers – had been lined up for a key role as environment secretary if the former chancellor wins the contest. “He will be our little Bolsonaro,” he said. The peer denied being motivated by hatred of Mr Sunak but attacked his record on the environment. “If Rishi had a record on the environment or if he was committed to continuing our environmental role globally, I would of course support him,” added Lord Goldsmith. Leadership candidate Sajid Javid, who quit the Johnson government minutes before Mr Sunak on Tuesday night, denied conspiring with the former chancellor to get rid of the prime minister. Asked if he had agreed a plan with Mr Sunak, the former health secretary told BBC Sunday Breakfast: “Not at all … that was a decision I made.” He added: “Once you lose confidence in your boss, your prime minister, I don’t think you can hide that.” Meanwhile, Tory leadership teams are reportedly drawing up dossiers full of compromises against rival candidates and their aides. At least two rival election campaign groups have reportedly handed over digital Labor files full of ludicrous allegations against potential rivals, according to the Sunday Times – with even candidates’ staff allegedly being targeted. The files are rumored to include allegations of extramarital affairs, tax evasion and illegal drug use, with at least one private investigator reportedly hired to look into the financial arrangements of some candidates. Labor MP Chris Bryant tweeted: “The stories being circulated about the various leadership candidates are so bleak it’s hard to believe, but it’s even more strange that Tory MPs are circulating them.”
