RISHI Sunak has admitted he is "playing catch up" to front-runner Liz Truss – but insisted it has "absolutely nothing" to do with racism.

The Foreign Secretary is the bookies' favourite to be the next PM – after a poll showed twice as many Tory voters want the her in charge.

Former Chancellor Mr Sunak has admitted he is trying to catch up to his rival – but stressed a fear of being seen as "racist" is NOT putting Tory voters off.

Key Conservative donor Lord Ranger earlier claimed rejecting Sunak would be "a bad name for the party" because voting for Ms Truss "will be perceived as racist".

Hitting back, Mr Sunak told the Sunday Telegraph: "I absolutely don't think [race] is a factor in anyone's decision. I just don't think that's right.

"I was selected as a Member of Parliament in Richmond… Our members rightly put merit above everything else.

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"I'm sure when they are considering this question, they are just figuring out who is the best person to be prime minister.

"Gender, ethnicity and everything else will have nothing to do with it."

The PM-hopeful blasted the "fairytale" of immediate tax cuts put forward by Ms Truss – as he claimed he favours "honesty and responsibility".

Mr Sunak added: "I think I can build a country where the defining characteristics of our society are hard work and aspiration and hope, a society where a world-class education is the birthright of every child, a society where we lead the world and standards of decency and integrity, and a society where we're really proud of our history and our traditions, but we're really confident about our future."

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It comes after Mr Sunak vowed to fine patients who miss GP or hospital appointments under a "transformative" shake-up of the NHS.

Brits who fail to attend scheduled meetings with medics would be slapped with a £10 fee if he becomes PM.

The former Chancellor said it's "not right" that some patients miss consultations, scans and check-ups – as it takes the spots away from those who need them most.

Anyone who fails to attend an appointment without sufficient notice would be ordered to pay out, he said.

Meanwhile Ms Truss has promised to swing the axe on higher taxes and drive a skills revolution for youngsters if she gets the keys to Number 10.

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The Tory leadership front-runner outlined her vision to champion enterprise, tackle the cost of living crisis and keep the country safe.

She vowed to slash red tape to invite more investment and also allow the country to take advantage of Brexit freedoms.

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