Mark Field, the former MP for Cities of London and Westminster, has recently spoken out about his past affair with Liz Truss, the UK’s shortest-term Prime Minister, shedding light on events that transpired in the early 2000s. The revelations were detailed in an interview with the Daily Mail. Field, now 60, described how his relationship with Truss began just as he noticed the “first serious signs of cracks” in his marriage to his wife Michele, whom he married in 1994.

Field recounted that he first met Truss at the Conservative Party Conference in October 2002. The encounter took place at the Highcliff Hotel in Bournemouth, where the two engaged in conversation amid the “romantic dimmed lights.” Truss, who was married to Hugh O’Leary at the time, reached out to Field for advice regarding selection interview techniques following their initial meeting. This led to increasingly frequent meetings over coffee and lunch throughout the following year.

“He came across as an impulsive bundle of energy, obsessed by the workings and machinations of politics,” Field observed, noting Truss’s enthusiasm during their collaboration on the party’s international trade policy. He found it amusing that, when she assumed the role of Trade Secretary years later, she continued to use the phrase they had coined together long before.

Field described the nature of their relationship, noting: “There is something very unreal in any affair, especially when both parties are married and living with their spouses.” He acknowledged the excitement of their shared moments but also the underlying guilt that often led Truss to attempt to distance herself from him. He commented that every few months, Truss would create space in their relationship, only to come back after a week or so.

The pair’s relationship deepened by the end of 2003, despite both being married. Field elaborated that their connection was marked by thrilling moments but also an awareness of the complexities of their situations. He reflected on how their time together was devoid of everyday marital responsibilities, leading to heightened anticipation of their interactions.

As the years progressed, Truss’s career continued to grow. She faced challenges, including a narrow defeat in the Calder Valley general election in 2005. Following that setback, the two resumed their affair, but the subsequent parliamentary recess forced a physical separation that lasted for nearly two months. Field described feeling unsettled during this time, only to be told by Truss in September that she was choosing to stay with her husband. This moment served as a turning point for Field, who recognised the impending end of his own marriage.

Field’s commentary on Truss’s tenure as Prime Minister suggests a perception of ambition and personal belief but also critiques her effectiveness in leadership and policy implementation. He noted her career’s trajectory as one marked by the ability to “talk a good game” but questioned the tangible results of her various roles in government.

In his assessment, Field highlighted her qualities necessary for a prominent political figure, including “limitless ambition and self-belief,” but also pointed to a lack of evidence supporting her economic strategies, particularly her plans for tax cuts and slashing public expenditure. He expressed that while Truss had the potential for success in politics, her approach left much to be desired regarding actual delivery and implementation of her policies.

Source: Noah Wire Services