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Live updates: Leadsom motherhood row

Andrea Leadsom has appeared to suggest being a mother makes her a better choice for prime minister than Theresa May, who has no children.

Latest updates:

  • The comments, made in an interview with The Times, have sparked a backlash
  • Leadsom said she was "disgusted" and accused the newspaper of "gutter journalism"
  • The Times has defended its story, releasing an audio recording and transcript
  • A Tory backbencher told ITV News that Leadsom should withdraw from leadership race
  • Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Leadsom's 'personal criticism' was 'unfair and wrong'
  • Leadsom said she has apologised to Theresa May
View all 19 updates ›

Andrea Leadsom apologises to May over motherhood row

Andrea Leadsom Credit: Reuters

Andrea Leadsom, a candidate in the Tory leadership election, has said sorry to her rival Theresa May in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

Speaking to the paper, she said: "Having children has no bearing on the ability to be PM. I deeply regret that anyone has got the impression that I think otherwise.

"I've already said to Theresa how very sorry I am for any hurt I have caused and how that article said completely the opposite of what I said and believe."

Her apology in the paper comes after former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith appeared on ITV's Peston on Sunday, saying Mrs Leadsom had been "stitched-up" during the interview.

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