Backlash at MP who said Kemi Badenoch is 'preoccupied with children'

Downing Street today slapped down a senior MP who suggested Kemi Badenoch might struggle as Tory leader because she's 'preoccupied with her children'.

No10 joined a fierce backlash following Sir Christopher Chope's comments about the Conservative leadership hopeful.

He claimed being a mother-of-three might hinder Ms Badenoch as leader of the opposition, should she beat rival Robert Jenrick in the race to replace Rishi Sunak.

A Downing Street spokeswoman noted how 'these comments are never directed at men or fathers, bizarrely'.

'I've not spoken to the Prime Minister about it, as it relates to the opposition leadership campaign, but I'm sure he would agree with that,' she added.

Ex-minister Tom Tugendhat, a former Tory leadership contender who was knocked out the contest during voting by MPs, also blasted Sir Christopher's comments.

He said: 'My wife works full time and often has to travel for work. I look after my kids and have to adjust work to be there. I guess I’m too preoccupied with my kids too.'

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Ms Badenoch herself hit back at Sir Christopher's remarks during a Tory leadership TV debate on GB News last night.

'I might remind him that it isn't always women who have parental responsibilities,' she said when quizzed about the MP's comments.

She also highlighted how she was 'effectively doing three jobs' while a member of the previous Tory government.

Ms Badenoch told a studio audience: 'I love my children. I have the most beautiful children in the world, I want to spend as much time with them as possible.

'I said to all of you that family was one of my key principles. I know it is for everyone in this room. Family is important. We have to live by our principles.

'I was able to be a great business secretary and trade secretary and equalities minister, effectively doing three jobs while balancing my home life. If I can do that. I can do this too.'

Sir Christopher, 77, who is supporting Mr Jenrick in the contest to replace Mr Sunak as Tory leader, had earlier suggested Ms Badenoch may lack the 'time and energy' to combine being leader of the opposition with motherhood.

The Christchurch MP, a former minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major,  highlighted the fact that Ms Badenoch spent a lot of time with her children. 

She has two daughters and a son, aged from 11 to five, but Mr Jenrick also has three daughters aged 12, 10 and eight.

'Robert's children are a bit older and I think it is important that whoever leaders the opposition has an immense amount of time and energy,' Sir Christopher told ITV Meridian's The Last Word.

Jenrick looks too much like 'Tory Boy' - Gove 

Robert Jenrick faces a 'challenge' winning over voters because he looks like a typical 'Tory Boy', ex-minister Michael Gove has said. 

Mr Gove drew the analogy with Harry Enfield's 1990s pastiche of young Conservatives (below) in a BBC interview.

The former education secretary, who stood down at the election and is now editor do the Spectator magazine, is supporting Kemi Badenoch. He told the Today programme: 'Robert's strengths are diligence, rigour, hunger...

'Now, I think one of Robert's weaknesses, and I speak as someone who has the same déformation professionnelle, he looks like a typical Tory politician.'

Asked if he was referring to 'Tory Boy', he added:  'So am I. It's a stain that I bear. And given the strength of feeling against Tory boys expressed at the last general election, that's a challenge.' 

Asked by Labour's Helena Dollimore if he was saying 'a woman shouldn't be standing to be leader of a political party because she's got young kids' Mr Chope replied: 'I'm not saying that at all. I was one of Margaret Thatcher's strongest and staunchest supporters.

'What gives me the concern is because 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.'

Mr Jenrick this evening distanced himself from Sir Christopher's comments, telling the GB News debate: 'He was wrong, he was definitely wrong. Kemi and I both have three children. She's a great mum, I'd (like) to think I'm a great dad.'

Asked whether there would be a role for Sir Christopher in his shadow cabinet, he said: 'I don't think he's applying for one.'

Shadow health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins, who is backing Mr Jenrick, said: 'This is the 2020s, not the 1950s. 

She added: 'All working mums and dads juggle family, career and general life.

'That one of our final two impressive candidates also happens to be a mum reflects the modern Conservative Party and modern life. Here's to all working mums.' 

After appearing on the ITV programme, Ms Dollimore said: 'I thought nothing could shock me about the state of the Conservative Party, but that was before I had to sit through Christopher Chope opining about whether mothers can lead political parties.'

Sir Christopher has a back catalogue of comments and interventions that have triggered criticism. 

He is notorious for using arcane House of Commons procedures to stop measures put forward by backbenchers despite them having widespread support.

He often argues that the government should make time for such laws so they get more detailed scrutiny.

In 2019 he blocked legislation protecting girls from genital mutilation by shouting 'object' to prevent the progress of a Bill allowing the courts to issue protection orders if they think a child is at risk.

It was the second time he had acted against the law and sparking howls of protest from fellow MPs.

He previously stood in the way of a ban on 'upskirting' and a posthumous pardon for  gay mathematician Alan Turing, who was persecuted over his sexuality and eventually killed himself.

He was knighted in 2018 for 'political and public service'.