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Penny Mordaunt, the Commons leader and a former magician’s assistant, will be looking to conjure up the necessary support and pull victory out of a hat in her second bid to become prime minister.

Ms Mordaunt, who has earned a reputation as a competent performer at the despatch box, has said she would “keep calm and carry on” and urged others to do the same after Liz Truss’s resignation.

Popular with Tory activists, she has long nurtured prime ministerial ambitions, fellow MPs claim, relentlessly working the “rubber chicken circuit” of charity dinners and party events to court the grassroots since being elected to her Portsmouth North seat in 2010.

Ms Mordaunt, who has held cabinet posts, including defence secretary, ran to replace Boris Johnson in the first Conservative leadership race with the pithy slogan PM 4 PM.

During that campaign, the Royal Navy reservist, said leadership “needs to become a little less about the leader and a lot more about the ship”.

She came third, narrowly missing out on a place in the head-to-head stage, in which she backed Ms Truss over Rishi Sunak.

Named after the Navy cruiser HMS Penelope

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Although she has previously faced accusations about her lack of profile outside politics, this changed after the Queen’s death when as Lord President of the Council she played a central role in proceedings in which Charles was proclaimed King.

Born in Torquay in March 1973, Ms Mordaunt’s history with the Armed Forces goes back to day one – when she says she was named after the Navy cruiser HMS Penelope.

Her father John served in the Parachute Regiment before retraining as a teacher and youth worker, and her mother Jennifer worked as a special needs teacher.

She grew up in Hampshire with her twin brother James and younger brother Edward.

Inside an F-35 lightening jet at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in 2019
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Penny Mordaunt was the UK’s first-ever female defence secretary

When she was 15 her mother died of breast cancer and she became her younger brother’s primary carer until her father remarried when she was 18.

On leaving home, she went to Romania for a gap year during which she worked in orphanages and hospitals after the 1989 revolution that toppled the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu.

Crediting those experiences with wanting to go into politics, she returned to the UK to study philosophy at the University of Reading, where she became president of the students’ union.

To fund her studies, she worked in a Johnson & Johnson factory and as a magician’s assistant to the president of the Portsmouth Magical Society and British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Worked on presidential campaign

She subsequently worked on George W Bush’s presidential campaigns and was a Conservative party staffer during William Hague’s leadership before branching out into the charity sector.

Winning the Portsmouth North constituency from Labour in 2010, one of her first claims to fame was an appearance on Tom Daley’s reality TV diving show Splash in 2014.

Told by judges she had the “elegance and drive of a paving slab” and criticised by her Labour rivals for not focusing on her day job, she claimed she did it so she could donate most of her £10,000 fee to saving a lido in her constituency.

She also raised eyebrows for a Commons speech in which she squeezed in repeated references to a rude word in a speech about poultry welfare – said to be part of a military bet – leading to accusations of “trivialising parliament”.

Penny Mordaunt on Splash in 2014. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
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On Tom Daley’s reality TV diving show Splash in 2014. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock

As a minister for local government, she caused further controversy when she got into a row with the Fire Brigades Union, which claimed she had “misled MPs” over assurances that firefighters would not have their pensions reduced if they failed fitness tests.

The dispute resulted in strike action.

A prominent Brexiteer, during the 2016 EU referendum campaign she made headlines for falsely claiming during an interview that the UK would not be able to stop Turkey from becoming a member of the bloc.

In 2017 when Priti Patel was forced to resign as international development secretary over undeclared meetings with Israeli officials, Ms Mordaunt replaced her.

She added women and equalities minister to her brief in 2018.

That year she was applauded in the Commons for being the first MP to ever use sign language at the despatch box.

Nicholas Soames, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence with two of the Conservative Party's prospective parliamentary candidates at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard where he announced his plans for the Royal Navy, should the Conservatives win the next General Election. Penny Mordaunt (left) is PPC for Portsmouth North and Caroline Dineage is PPC for Portsmouth South.
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The MP campaigned with Boris Johnson for Brexit

She made history again in 2019 when Theresa May made her the UK’s first-ever female defence secretary.

But she only served for 85 days before Boris Johnson punished her for backing his rival Jeremy Hunt in the Tory leadership contest and demoted her.

Last year she published a book outlining her hopes for post-Brexit Britain.

Ms Mordaunt said it was only through writing it that she realised she was dyslexic and was formally diagnosed.

Trans rights criticism

She has also come under scrutiny over her record on trans rights and self-identification, with critics accusing her of being “too woke”.

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‘A woman like me doesn’t have a Willie’

While serving as women and equalities minister, she publicly stated that “trans women are women and trans men are men”.

She also came under fire for opting to replace the words “woman” and “mother” with “person” in maternity leave legislation.

‘I am biologically a woman’

However, she had also faced claims she has abandoned her support of the trans community for the sake of her political career.

At her previous campaign launch she said: “I am a woman, I am biologically a woman.

“And I can tell you that if you have been in the Royal Navy and competed against men, you understand the biological difference between men and women.”

During the bitter leadership contest, Ms Mordaunt had doubt cast on her ministerial commitment by her own boss.

She later joked she was “amazed” to be back at the Commons despatch box given her “reported work ethic”.

A member of the British Astronomical Association, she has four Burmese cats.

She will now be looking to magic a win in her second tilt at the leadership and ensure her campaign does not end up a vanishing act.

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Trump criticises Putin after potentially ‘historic’ meeting with Zelenskyy before Pope’s funeral

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Trump criticises Putin after potentially 'historic' meeting with Zelenskyy before Pope's funeral

Donald Trump has criticised Vladimir Putin and suggested a shift in his stance towards the Russian president after a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the Pope’s funeral.

The Ukrainian president said the one-on-one talks could prove to be “historic” after pictures showed him sitting opposite Mr Trump, around two feet apart, in the large marble hall inside St Peter’s Basilica.

The US president said he doubted his Russian counterpart’s willingness to end the war after leaving Rome after the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Follow live updates: 200,000 mourn at Vatican

In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said “there was no reason” for the Russian president “to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days”.

The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope's funeral
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The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope’s funeral

He added: “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”

The meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders was their first face-to-face encounter since a very public row in the Oval Office in February.

Mr Zelenskyy said he had a good meeting with Mr Trump in which they talked about the defence of the Ukrainian people, a full and unconditional ceasefire, and a durable and lasting peace that would prevent the war restarting.

Other images released by the Ukrainian president’s office show Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron were present for part of the talks, which were described as “positive” by the French presidency.

Mr Zelenskyy‘s spokesman said the meeting lasted for around 15 minutes and he and Mr Trump had agreed to hold further discussions later on Saturday.

The world leaders share a moment before the service
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The world leaders shared a moment before the service

Trump and Zelenskyy meet in the Basilica
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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in the Basilica

But the US president left Rome for Washington on Air Force One soon after the funeral without any other talks having taken place.

The Ukrainian president’s office said there was no second meeting in Rome because of the tight schedule of both leaders, although he had separate discussions with Mr Starmer and Mr Macron.

The French president said in a post on X “Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire” and that a so-called coalition of the willing, led by the UK and France, would continue working to achieve a lasting peace.

There was applause from some of the other world leaders in attendance at the Vatican when Mr Zelenskyy walked out of St Peter’s Basilica after stopping in front of the pontiff’s coffin to pay his respects.

U.S President Donald Trump attends the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
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Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president met for the first time since their Oval Office row. Pic: Reuters

Sir Tony Brenton, the former British ambassador to Russia, said the event presents diplomatic opportunities, including the “biggest possible meeting” between Mr Trump and the Ukrainian leader.

He told Sky News it could mark “an important step” in starting the peace process between Russia and Ukraine.

Professor Father Francesco Giordano told Sky News the meeting is being called “Pope Francis’s miracle” by members of the clergy, adding: “There’s so many things that happened today – it was just overwhelming.”

The bilateral meeting comes after Mr Trump’s peace negotiator Steve Witkoff held talks with Mr Putin at the Kremlin.

They discussed “the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine”, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

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Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks since the early weeks of the war, which began in February 2022.

Mr Trump has claimed a deal to end the war is “very close” and has urged Mr Zelenskyy to “get it done” in a post on his Truth Social platform.

He has previously warned both sides his administration would walk away from its efforts to achieve a peace if the two sides do not agree a deal soon.

Meanwhile, the Polish armed forces said a Russian military helicopter violated its airspace over the Baltic Sea on Friday evening.

“The nature of the incident indicates that Russia is testing the readiness of our air defence systems,” they said in a post on X.

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What we learn from remarkable photos of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

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What we learn from remarkable photos of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

On an extraordinary day, remarkable pictures on the margins that capture what may be a turning point for the world.

In a corner of St Peter’s Basilica before the funeral of Pope Francis, the leaders of America and Ukraine sit facing each other in two solitary chairs.

They look like confessor and sinner except we cannot tell which one is which.

Leaning forward hands together in their laps, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy stare at each other in one photo.

In another, the Ukrainian president seems to be remonstrating with the US president. This is their first encounter since their infamous bust-up in the Oval Office.

The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope's funeral
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The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope’s funeral

Other pictures show the moment their French and British counterparts introduced the two men. There is a palpable sense of nervousness in the way the leaders engage.

We do not know what the two presidents said in their brief meeting.

But in the mind of the Ukrainian leader will be the knowledge President Trump has this week said America will reward Russia for its unprovoked brutal invasion of his country, under any peace deal.

Mr Trump has presented Ukraine and Russia with a proposal and ultimatum so one-sided it could have been written in the Kremlin.

Kyiv must surrender the land Russia has taken by force, Crimea forever, the rest at least for now. And it must submit to an act of extortion, a proposed deal that would hand over half its mineral wealth effectively to America.

The world leaders share a moment before the service
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The world leaders shared a moment before the service

Afterwards, Zelenskyy said it had been a good meeting that could turn out to be historic “if we reach results together”.

They had talked, he said, about the defence of Ukraine, a full and unconditional ceasefire and a durable and lasting peace that will prevent a war restarting.

The Trump peace proposal includes only unspecified security guarantees for Ukraine from countries that do not include the US. It rules out any membership of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s allies are watching closely to see if Mr Trump will apply any pressure on Vladimir Putin, let alone punish him for recent bloody attacks on Ukraine.

Or will he simply walk away if the proposal fails, blaming Ukrainian intransigence, however outrageously, before moving onto a rapprochement with Moscow.

If he does, America’s role as guarantor of international security will be seen effectively as over.

This could be the week we see the world order as we have known it since the end of the Second World War buried, as well as a pope.

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Pope Francis funeral: 200,000 people bidding farewell to pontiff who had ‘open heart towards everyone’

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Pope Francis funeral: 200,000 people bidding farewell to pontiff who had 'open heart towards everyone'

Tens of thousands of people have packed St Peter’s Square as the funeral of Pope Francis begins.

Royals, world leaders and cardinals joined scores of worshippers at the Vatican, as mourning of the 266th pontiff transcended wealth and social class.

In keeping with Francis’s life as a breaker of tradition, many of the more elaborate and expensive rituals customary for the burial of popes have been foregone in favour of simpler options.

Around 200,000 people are attending the funeral, with around 50,000 packing out St Peter’s Square.

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Pope’s coffin carried out as funeral begins

Follow live: Pope Francis funeral service latest updates

His body had been lying in state since his death aged 88 on Easter Monday, spending the last few days in St Peter’s Basilica to allow mourners to pay their respects.

The Vatican – where the funeral service is taking place – and Rome – where Francis will be laid to rest – are under heavy security, with a no-fly zone in place overhead.

The coffin of Pope Francis is carried during the funeral Mass of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
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The coffin of Pope Francis is borne aloft by pallbearers. Pic: Reuters

Members of the clergy sit, ahead of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
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Members of the clergy gathered to say farewell to their pontiff. Pic: Reuters

President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, along with Sir Keir Starmer, President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, headline a huge selection of global leaders and dignitaries.

Read more:
Pope Francis’s funeral – what is happening and when
Full order of service for Pope’s funeral

Francis’s coffin has been taken out into St Peter’s Square where 220 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests are sitting in rows, waiting to say goodbye to the Bishop of Rome.

A series of readings and prayers are being read before the 50,000 faithful gathered before the basilica, and the coffin will be sprinkled with holy water and incense.

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Singing rings out at the Vatican

Members of the clergy attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, in Saint Peter's Square, at the Vatican, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
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Members of the clergy stand in St Peter’s Square. Pic: Reuters

It began with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re reading the Penitential Act – a way for the faithful to confess their sinfulness.

This was followed by the Liturgy of the Word, a part in Catholic mass where faithful gather to hear and reflect on the word of God.

Cardinal Re then delivered the homily, speaking about Pope Francis’ life and service to God.

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Applause breaks out as Zelenskyy arrives

Cardinal
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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re read the homily

The cardinal praised the pontiff as someone who “touched the minds and hearts of people” who was “attentive to the signs of the times”.

He added: “Despite his frailty and suffering towards the end, Pope Francis chose to follow this path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life.”

He said Francis “was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone”.

A view of St Peter's Square during the funeral of Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Tens of thousands pack St Peter’s Square for the funeral. Pic: AP

Clergy during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
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Clergy seated during the funeral. Pic: AP

At the end of the mass, the choir will sing in Latin: “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs come and welcome you and take you into the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.”

After the service, Pope Francis’s body will be taken in procession through the streets of Rome to his final resting place at his favourite church, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

People react as they wait outside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore), ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome, Italy, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
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Worshippers outside the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Pic: Reuters

He will be ushered into the basilica – dedicated to the Virgin Mary – by prisoners and migrants, a last reflection of his priorities as pope.

In a break with tradition, the Pope outlined in his will his request to be buried “in the ground, without particular ornamentation” but simply with the inscription “Franciscus”.

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