Tory MP slammed for saying Conservative leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch is 'preoccupied with her own children'

17 October 2024, 14:54 | Updated: 17 October 2024, 15:16

A Tory MP has been slammed for saying Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch is "preoccupied with her own children" - adding "you can't spend all your time with your family" while being Leader of the Opposition.

Sir Christopher Chope said that he was backing Ms Badenoch's opponent in the contest, Robert Jenrick, whose children are "a bit older".

Mr Jenrick's campaign have distanced themselves from Sir Christopher's comments - and have pointed out that the two remaining contenders both have three children.

Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are vying for the support of Conservative members in their quest to succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader.

'Preoccupied'

Sir Christopher, the MP for Christchurch told ITV Meridian's The Last Word programme that "I myself am supporting Robert Jenrick because I think he's brought more energy and commitment to the campaign, and being leader of the opposition is a really demanding job.

"And, much as I like Kemi, I think she's preoccupied with her own children, quite understandably.

"But I think Robert's children are a bit older, and I think that it's important that whoever leads the opposition has got an immense amount of time and energy."

Mother-of-three Ms Badenoch's youngest daughter is five, while Mr Jenrick also has three children.

He was challenged on his words by Helena Dollimore, the Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, and when asked by the presenter what his "concern" was, Sir Christopher explained: "I understand from talking to colleagues that Kemi spends a lot of time with her family, which I don't resent at all."

He added: "But the consequence of it is that you can't spend all your time with your family as at the same time being Leader of the Opposition."

Read more: 'Sonic boom' heard over Norfolk as RAF fighter jets scrambled following 'bomb threat' aboard Heathrow-bound flight

Read more: Second body found after explosion destroys house in Newcastle

Ms Dollimore said that she thought "there should be no barrier to women standing in public life", before Sir Christopher claimed he was being "misrepresen(ted)".

"You're completely misrepresenting what I said," the Conservative MP said. "What I'm talking about is the time, commitment involved in being Leader of Her Majesty's, or His Majesty's, Opposition."

Ali Miraj calls on Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick to 'reflect' on why they lost the election

'Outrageous'

A Jenrick campaign source said: "Rob doesn't agree with this. He's raising three young daughters himself."

Harriet Harman, former mother of the house, said the comments were an "insult not just to Kemi Badenoch but to all working mothers."

Lib Dem MP said: "Outrageous but predictable comments from Christopher Chope. The idea that women can’t hold positions with huge responsibility and still manage to be brilliant mums is antiquated, insulting and chauvinistic, to say the least."

Labour MP Tom Hayes added: "Christopher Chope represents the seat beside mine.

"I wish I didn’t have to say this, but as he takes this view, I’d urge him to talk with mothers and find out what they achieve every day. We shouldn’t be debating whether mothers can lead political parties. It’s that simple."

Tory members are voting in the coming days for their new party leader, who is due to be announced on 2 November.

Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch made it to the final two in the contest after James Cleverly failed to make it through the final round of the MP's ballot last week.

On Wednesday, Ms Badenoch said during an online rally that she is running a "grassroots campaign" rather than a "media campaign".

The North West Essex MP said: "I am working hard, I am running a grassroots campaign, not a TV campaign or a media campaign. I am getting out there and I am looking forward to meeting many of you on the campaign trail."