Liz Truss has opened up about what was said between herself and Nadhim Zahawi in their hushed front-bench discussion in the days before the Queen died.
In September 2020, as the Queen's health deteriorated, Zahawi was seen handing the then-Prime Minister a note as she sat on the front benches of the House of Commons before the pair had a hushed conversation.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, the former Prime Minister has finally revealed the contents of their back and forth.
The note, she explained, indicated that the Queen's health was "getting worse and worse", containing an "agreed statement" for Truss to read in the Commons should the palace release a statement.
Truss told GB News that she "expressed concern" to Zahawi, who was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at the time, while the pair were sat on the front-benches.
Explaining the series of events, the former PM said: "As I've said, you know, the news was getting worse and it was clear that we were talking about days rather than weeks.
"Thats what I recollect. And it was when I was in the Commons chamber, having just given the opening remarks in the debate about the energy package that Nadhim Zahawi came in with a note essentially, you know, indicating things were getting worse."
She added: "I just expressed concern and then I think pretty soon after that had to head out to deal deal with the issue."
Today marks the one year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death.
Truss was so new in her job as Prime Minister when the Queen died that she had not yet moved all of her belongings into Downing Street. She told GB News that somebody had to go and collect a black dress from her house in the moments after the Queen died.
She said: "Somebody had to go and collect my dress from my house.
"We had moved smoe of our stuff in at that point but the job was very new and I think in those situaitons you just have to deal with what's in front of you and I knew I would have to address the nation.
"I knew the situation was very, very serious, and it was really just getting through those those crucial moments and making sure that we did all we could to pay tribute to the Queen, but also to make sure there was a smooth transition to support the new King.
"Those were all the thoughts going through my head, along with all the other 100,000 things you're thinking about as a new Prime Minister."
Speaking about the moment she found out about the Queen's death, Truss said: "We were in the Downing Street flat with officials and other people.
"So when the news came through, it was sort of confirming all the worst fears that we'd had."
She added: "I felt very, very sad about the situation. But also just, you know, knowing that I would have to deal with it.
"You know, part of your brain is thinking, my goodness me, this is a momentous occasion.
"This is our Queen who who's been on the throne for 70 years, you know, the absolute backdrop to our lives is now gone.
Truss told GB News that she 'expressed concern' to Zahawi, who was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at the time, while the pair were sat on the front-benches
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"But also, I tend to focus on the practical in those type of moments and I was just thinking right, I need to make sure my speech is ready.
"I need to make sure the right people are informed. I need to make sure that, you know, the cabinet ministers responsible for organizing what was going to be a massive international occasion.
"So all of those sorts are going through your your head."
