I find this sort of view a bit odd, it's like people generally did get so distracted by the more superficial stories re: whether something was a work event or a party etc.. I mean Liz didn't make any of this stuff secret prior to getting the leadership position.
She started to make it clear during the leadership hustings but she was very quiet prior to the leadership run bearing in mind she is the only MP to have been in the cabinet for the last 12 years I think?