No 10 slaps down Tory MP over claim Kemi Badenoch is ‘preoccupied’ by family
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Downing Street has slapped down Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope after he claimed Kemi Badenoch is “preoccupied with her children”. Asked about the remarks, which sparked widespread backlash, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said on Friday: “His comments are never directed at men or fathers, bizarrely.” Sir Christopher Chope in the House of Commons, Westminster Speaking to ITV News on Thursday, Sir Christopher said: “Much as I like Kemi, I think she is preoccupied with her own children – quite understandably – but I think Robert ’s children are a bit older. “I think it is important that whoever leads the opposition has an immense amount of time and energy.” He 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 you can’t spend all your time with your family at the same time as being leader of the opposition.” Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are currently battling it out for the support of the party membership in a vote which closes at the end of October. Kemi Badenoch rejected Sir Christopher’s remarks, saying she was a ‘great business secretary’ while ‘balancing my home life’ On Thursday, Labour MP Dawn Butler told The Independent: “They are extremely sexist, misogynistic and outdated comments and sound like something Andrew Tate would be proud of.