In a very public example of apparent Tory division, MP Lucy Allan responded to the UK Prime Minister’s official Twitter account announcing Michelle Donelan’s new role by simply writing: “Seriously”. Ms Allan appeared unhappy that Nadhim Zahawi was moved to the Treasury to become the new chancellor as Boris Johnson sought to replace Rishi Sunak. Michelle Donnellan’s appointment was announced via Twitter, with a quick response from an MP (Twitter) Responding to a tweet announcing Mr Zahawi’s appointment, Ms Allan lamented: “A huge loss for education – a brilliant and inspirational education secretary.” In another tweet, responding to a post by a school governor praising Mr Zahawi’s work in the department, Ms Allan wrote: “Sad to see Nadhim Zahawi leave a position he was passionate about.” Ms Allan expanded on her withering assessment of Ms Donelan’s appointment as education secretary, replying to one Twitter user saying: “No, I’m a supporter and therefore not running for any office, but I want a credible government for our country . .” The Tory MP for Telford’s one-word assessment of Ms Donelan sparked outrage on social media. Alan White, the editor of Politics Home, wrote: “A lot has happened tonight but I’ll be honest, the only thing I want to hear is the source of the Lucy Allan/Michelle Donelan beef.” Telford MP Lucy Allan said Mr Zahawi was “inspirational” (PA) Shehab Khan, a political reporter on ITV, responded by saying: “Ummmm – Tory MP Lucy Allan doesn’t seem too impressed with her own education secretary.” The BBC’s Newsnight political editor Lewis Goodall summed up the row by saying simply: “Telford Tory MP Lucy Allan doesn’t seem particularly enamored with the new Education Secretary.”
