A petition calling on Liz Truss to forgo the £115,000 annual allowance granted to former prime ministers has received 170,000 signatures.
Ms Truss resigned after serving just 44 days as prime minister. Nevertheless, she is eligible to receive a £115,000 Public Duties Cost Allowance (PDCA), which is granted to former prime ministers to fund their public duties.
The fact that Ms Truss could claim the allowance despite serving for such a short amount of time drew widespread criticism, including in the form of a petition.
Karl Davies started the petition four days ago after Ms Truss’s resignation.
In the petition’s description, Davies wrote: “Given the short length of Liz Truss’ term as PM, and the economic turmoil inflicted upon the UK during that period, this is a petition for either Liz Truss to honourably and voluntarily forgo the PDCA, permanently ... [or for the PDCA] to be withheld by the Cabinet Office and its Finance Team, permanently.
“The appointment of yet another national representative without public assent was already a moral breach of our core democratic principles – rewarding such a tragic nomination via the PDCA would be to rub salt in the national wound.”
He added: “Liz Truss, how would you like to be remembered?”
Liz Truss - In pictures
Supporters of the petition have been sharing why they believe Ms Truss should give up the allowance.
Vivian Hill commented: “No one of integrity would even consider taking this money after 45 days in which they crashed the economy causing more hardship for the people of the UK.”
Margaret Deacon said: “I fear social unrest with such inequity. Others are cold and hungry.”
Gary Murphy said: “People work long days for pittance pay. Struggle to pay bills and afford heating and food. She failed and is living off these people.”
Shiladitya Sinha said: “I think it is ridiculous that somebody can barely spend a few days in office with such disastrous consequences and be rewarded with such a generous severance package.
“I accept that a PMs post is incredibly difficult but perhaps one should earn the right to this lifetime generosity.
“The rest of us would never get anything remotely like this on leaving a job, even if well done. It’s an absolute travesty.”
David Maughan said: “It’s scandalous that she is even eligible for this amount from the public purse.”
