Veteran Tory MP claims Kemi Badenoch 'preoccupied with her own children'

Sir Christopher Chope told ITV News Badenoch shouldn't be leader because she's too "preoccupied with her own children", as ITV Meridian Political Correspondent Kit Bradshaw reports

Conservative MP, Sir Christopher Chope, has claimed that party leadership favourite Kemi Badenoch is “preoccupied with her own children”.

The long-serving MP for Christchurch in Dorset, said: "You can't spend all your time with your family at the same time being leader of the opposition".

Speaking on ITV Meridian’s 'The Last Word', Sir Christopher said: "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.”

  • Sir Christopher Chope discussed the Tory leadership race on ITV Meridian’s The Last Word, alongside Labour’s Helena Dollimore and the Lid Dem Alex Brewer

Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, Helena Dollimore responded: “I think many women will be shocked by those comments.

"I'm really proud that we live in a country where we've had women who have become Prime Minister, we've got the first woman Chancellor at the moment, I think there should be no barrier to women standing in public life."

When challenged, Sir Christopher insisted he was not saying women shouldn't be standing to be leader of a political party.

Kemi Badenoch is standing against Robert Jenrick to be Conservative party leader. Credit: PA Images

The Christchurch MP added: "I understand from talking to colleagues that Kemi spends a lot of time with her family, which I don't resent at all… 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.

"You could argue that Margaret Thatcher's family suffered as a result of the commitment and dedication which she gave to leading our country."

Sir Christopher Chope is supporting Robert Jenrick in the Conservative leadership race. Responding to the comments, a Jenrick campaign source said: "Rob doesn't agree with this. He's raising three young daughters himself."

  • Labour MP Josh Simons raised the ITV Meridian interview in the House of Commons

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."

The comments come as Conservative members vote on who they want to lead their party, with the result due on 2 November.

'The Last Word' is broadcast every month on ITV1 in the Meridian region. The latest edition is available to watch now on ITVX.

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