Kemi Badenoch has three children aged between five and 12 (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
A Tory MP has sparked fury by claiming Kemi Badenoch is too "preoccupied with her own children" to be Conservative leader.
Sir Christopher Chope is now facing a backlash after supporting Robert Jenrick in the contest, saying the contender's children are "a bit older".
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The veteran backbencher told ITV "you can't spend all your time with your family" while being leader. Ms Badenoch's three children are aged between five and 12.
He suggested Mr Jenrick, whose three children are aged between eight and 13, would effectively be able to devote more time to the role.
Mr Jenrick's campaign quickly distanced itself from the Christchurch MP's comments. Ms Badenoch's campaign is not commenting on the remarks.
Sir Christopher told ITV Meridian's The Last Word programme: "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.
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Sir Christopher Chope was challenged over his comments and said: 'You can't spend all your time with your family' (Image: UK Parliament)
"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."
When challenged on the programme about his remarks, Sir Christopher 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."
Robert Jenrick's campaign distanced itself from Sir Christopher Chope's remarks (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA)
A Jenrick campaign source said: "Rob doesn't agree with this. He's raising three young daughters himself."
Shadow Health Secretary and Jenrick-backer Victoria Atkins praised "working mums" and said: "This is the 2020s, not the 1950s."
Responding to a clip of the exchange on social media, she said: "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."
Former Tory MP Nickie Aiken appeared to suggest Sir Christopher is a dinosaur, sharing an emoji as she said she "juggled (and) made it work" with her husband as a working mother.
Ms Aiken said that she was seven months pregnant and "with a toddler in tow" when she was first elected as a councillor in 2006.
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Tory members are voting in the coming days for who will replace Rishi Sunak after the Conservatives' heavy election defeat. The result is due to be announced on November 2.
Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch made it to the final two in the contest after James Cleverly failed to proceed to the final round of the MP's ballot last week.
The pair are set to take part in a Tory leadership debate tonight on GB News.