Badenoch 'preoccupied with own children', says Tory MP

A Conservative MP has been criticised for saying helium would not beryllium voting for Kemi Badenoch arsenic enactment person due to the fact that she is "preoccupied with her ain children".

Sir Christopher Chope told ITV that "you can't walk each your clip with your family" portion being person of the opposition.

He said helium would beryllium voting for Robert Jenrick - Badenoch's hostile successful the Tory enactment contention - arguing that Jenrick's 3 children are "a spot older".

Responding to his comments, Conservative MP Victoria Atkins said: "This is the 2020s, not the 1950s - each moving mums and dads juggle family, vocation and wide life."

She added: "That 1 of our last 2 awesome candidates besides happens to beryllium a mum reflects the modern Conservative Party and modern life. Here’s to each moving mums."

A root from Jenrick's run said their campaigner didn't hold with Sir Christopher's comments adding: "He's raising 3 young daughters himself."

Badenoch's run squad is not commenting connected the remarks.

Speaking to ITV Meridian's The Last Word programme, Sir Christopher said Jenrick had "brought much vigor and committedness to the campaign, and being person of the absorption is simply a truly demanding job.

"And, overmuch arsenic I similar Kemi, I deliberation she's preoccupied with her ain children, rather understandably.

"But I deliberation Robert's children are a spot older, and I deliberation that it's important that whoever leads the absorption has got an immense magnitude of clip and energy.

"I recognize from talking to colleagues that Kemi spends a batch of clip with her family, which I don't resent astatine all.

"But the effect of it is that you can't walk each your clip with your household arsenic astatine the aforesaid clip being person of the opposition.

"You could reason that Margaret Thatcher's household suffered arsenic a effect of the committedness and dedication which she gave to starring our country."

Labour MP Helena Dollimore, who was appearing connected the aforesaid programme, said: "Many women volition beryllium shocked by those comments.

"I deliberation determination should beryllium nary obstruction to women lasting successful nationalist life."

Conservative Party members are presently picking who they privation arsenic person and the effect volition beryllium announced connected 2 November.

Badenoch and Jenrick are the last 2 candidates, aft James Cleverly was knocked retired successful a ballot of Tory MPs earlier this month.