Who is Felicity Cornelius-Mercer, the MP’s wife who branded Truss an imbecile?

Felicity Cornelius-Mercer, the wife of former minister Johnny Mercer, has called Liz Truss an “imbecile” in an outburst on Twitter after her husband’s sacking.

She said the cabinet system “stinks” and “treats people appalingly” after the new prime minister removed her husband as the veterans affairs minister on Tuesday.

The tweet, which contains a picture mocking Truss as the character Beaker from The Muppets, said: “Best person I know sacked by an imbecile”.

Mrs Cornelius-Mercer targeted the new prime minister hours after Ms Truss began her reshuffle. But who is she and what does she do?

Who is Felicity Cornelius-Mercer?

Felicity Cornelius-Mercer, 42, is the wife of MP for Plymouth, Moor View’s Johnny Mercer. She has worked in her husband’s office as his Principal Secretary since 2015.

Prior to this role, she worked as a crewing supervisor for MK Airlines and is also a qualified lifeguard.

She received her education in Worcestershire at a private school now known as Malvern College.

Mrs Cornelius-Mercer and her husband live in a small village in Cornwall with their three children: 14-year-old Amalie, nine-year-old Joey, and two-year-old Audrey.

She previously spoke to Plymouth Live about working with her husband, and said: “It’s great that we work together, that really helps. I’m pretty much Johnny’s manager, I manage where he is and what he’s doing, and it’s a real team effort.”

Mrs Cornelius-Mercer also opened up about the darker side of working together, claiming she’s been “threatened” while with her children.

“You see people coming up to you on the street and threatening you and you’ve got your children with you. And the online abuse.”

The MP’s wife made headlines back in 2020 when she became the target of a foul package containing a nappy and note that read: “Better check what your husband has been up to...”

Her family home was targeted after Mr Mercer voted down a Labour motion to extend free school meals.