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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 ›

Leadsom motherhood comments 'not derogatory'

Tim Loughton appears on The Andrew Marr Show. Credit: BBC/The Andrew Marr Show

Andrea Leadsom made it "absolutely clear" that references she made to her children in an interview with The Times were not to be used in a "derogatory" way towards Theresa May, her campaign manager has said.

Tim Loughton, Conservative MP East Worthing and Shoreham, defended the Tory leadership candidate's comments and said her children were "the thing that really fires her up", and asked "when has it been a crime to be proud about your children?".

Mr Loughton also questioned whether the debate on children would be an issue if the two candidates were male.

Mr Loughton added that South Northamptonshire MP was a "fresh face" who had "much more experience outside of politics than all the other candidates put together".

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Live updates: Leadsom motherhood row

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