LIZ Truss was forced into another humiliating U-turn last night over forcing MPs to back fracking — as her authority drained away amid an extraordinary Commons mutiny.
Discipline broke down as allegations were made of a Tory MP being physically manhandled to vote as the day descended into farce.
Liz Truss was forced into another humiliating U-turn over forcing MPs to back fracking
There was confusion over whether Chief Whip Wendy Morton had quit her role amid the voting muddle
The Government eventually won the vote, MPs voted 326 to 230 to reject a ban on fracking
Photographic evidence was taken of wavering MPs being harassed having earlier been told it was a “confidence” vote — meaning the Government could fall if they lost.
Ms Truss looked on ashen-faced and remained tight-lipped as chaos reigned.
But just minutes before MPs were due to vote, Climate Minister Graham Stuart indicated there had been a major climbdown and it was not a confidence vote.
Last night there was confusion over whether Chief Whip Wendy Morton and her deputy Craig Whittaker had quit their roles amid the voting muddle.
Mr Whittaker came out of the voting lobby and was reportedly heard saying: “I am f******furious and I don’t give a f*** anymore.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant claimed Deputy PM Therese Coffey and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg were among a gang putting pressure on MPs when they went to vote.
Mr Bryant told Sky News that one MP, Alex Stafford, had been “physically manhandled” into the “no” lobby.
He added: “There was a bunch of Conservative Members obviously completely uncertain whether they were allowed to vote with Labour or against it.
“There was a group including several Cabinet ministers who were basically shouting at them.
“At least one member was physically pulled through the door into the voting lobby. That is completely out of order.
“I know that Therese Coffey was in the group. I know that Jacob Rees-Mogg was in the group and there were others as well.
“The group all moved forward with one member. It was Alex Stafford. He was to my mind physically manhandled into the lobby.”
SNP MP David Linden said he witnessed the scenes and said it was “utterly, utterly appalling behaviour and makes a total mockery of democracy”.
Mr Stafford hit back saying there were “lots of rumours” flying about.
He said: “I had a frank and robust conversation outside the voting lobbies confirming my opposition to fracking, with members of the Government, nothing more, reconfirming my position which I spoke about in the Chamber this evening.”
Sources close to Ms Coffey denied manhandling anyone as Mr Rees-Mogg said it was wrong to characterise events as bullying.
The chaos led to Tory veteran MP Charles Walker being embarrassed by the scenes and the operation at Number 10 — saying 200 of his colleagues will lose their seats without change.
He blasted colleagues, saying: “I really shouldn’t say this but I hope those people that put Truss in No 10, I hope it it was worth it for the ministerial red box. Because the damage they have done to our parliamentary party is extraordinary.”
The Government eventually won the vote, MPs voted 326 to 230 to reject a ban on fracking.
The incredible scenes came after Downing Street had earlier committed to raising pensions in line with inflation after signalling the cast-iron manifesto pledge could be scrapped
The PM was left with no choice but to promise retirees’ pay will rise with inflation after facing an onslaught amid spiralling costs.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt suggested the pensions triple-lock guarantee could be scrapped amid a public finance black hole after the mini-Budget.
But in a surprise move at a make-or-break Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Truss said: “We’ve been clear in our manifesto that we will maintain the triple lock and I’m completely committed to it.”
The shock climbdown blindsided MPs as just hours earlier No10 was refusing to rule out a real-terms pay cut for 12million OAPs as part of Mr Hunt’s cost-cutting drive.
Trending In The News can reveal that Ms Truss was still threatening to break the manifesto pledge as late as Monday night when she hosted a private drinks reception of Tory MPs at Downing Street.
But according to one attendee she was told bluntly that did not command the support of enough MPs to get through the Commons.
With her back against the wall, weakened Ms Truss met Mr Hunt yesterday morning telling him the triple lock is now off the table.
Her rare flash of authority risks testing her relationship with Hunt, who agreed to take the Treasury job on the assurance he will have licence to balance the books.
