FACT CHECK: Was U.K. Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt Pictured Wearing Military-Style Medals?

An image shared on Twitter purportedly shows U.K. Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt wearing military-style medals.

What are these medals do they belong to her grandfather? pic.twitter.com/Uj0UuP5dZo

— Carole Hawkins (@hawkins_carole) July 17, 2022

Verdict: False

The image is altered. Mordaunt is not wearing any medals in the original photo.

Fact Check:

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced July 7 that he would resign as soon as the Conservative Party chooses a successor, according to The Associated Press. Mordaunt was one of several politicians who ran to replace him, BBC News. She has since been eliminated from the contest, the outlet reported.

An image circulating on social media appears to show her wearing military-style medals. “What are these medals do they belong to her grandfather?” reads the caption of one such post shared widely on Twitter. (RELATED: Does This Image Show A UK Cabinet Office Document Telling Government Ministers How To Destroy Businesses?)

In reality, the image has been digitally altered. Reuters published the original version showing Mordaunt without any medals. The outlet also indicated that it was taken as she left London’s 10 Downing Street in November 2018. At the time of the photo, Mordaunt was serving as the international development secretary after being appointed to the position in November 2017.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak are currently the only two candidates still in the running to replace Johnson, according to BBC News. Conservative Party members will vote to decide who gets the nod, with the new prime minister expected to be announced by Sept. 5, the outlet reported.

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