Penny Mordaunt boosts Tory leadership chances with sword-wielding coronation role

Bookmakers slash odds on Commons leader replacing Rishi Sunak, as she wins praise for ‘triceps of steel’

Penny Mordaunt appears to have boosted her chances of leading the Conservative party after her central role wielding a sword at King Charles III’s coronation won widespread attention.

The Commons leader and Lord President of the Privy Council was the surprise star of the Westminster Abbey ceremony, carrying the eight-pound sword aloft for 51 minutes.

Some viewers mocked her teal caped dress, embroidered with a golden fern, by comparing her to a Star Wars and Game of Thrones character – but bookmakers slashed odds of her succeeding Rishi Sunak.