Kemi Badenoch backed for Tory leadership by Andrew Bowie
More Videos
0 seconds of 35 seconds Volume 90%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?
Play/Pause SPACE
Increase Volume ↑
Decrease Volume ↓
Seek Forward →
Seek Backward ←
Captions On/Off c
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f
Mute/Unmute m
Decrease Caption Size -
Increase Caption Size + or =
Seek % 0-9
Next Up
Braverman doesn't believe Rachel Reeves about ￡20 billion black hole
01:25
twitter facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/NKiNn9Im Copied
Live
00:00
00:35
00:35
More Videos
Close
Kemi Badenoch has furiously defended a decision by her to miss a key Tory leadership event to take a summer holiday with her family.
All of her fellow competitors to replace Rishi Sunak took part in the first public leadership husting yesterday, taking to the stage of a prestigious private school in North Yorkshire in front of an audience of party members to make their pitch.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Your Penny Saver
Seniors With Under $2,348 In SS Get Big Benefits This August (Tap For Full List)Your Penny Saver
Undo
But Ms Badenoch, one of the key frontrunners in the race, was unavailable to attend the crucial ‘town hall’ meeting, a decision first revealed by the Express.
Following the event, it emerged that Ms Badenoch missed it due to being on holiday, something her advisors cryptically described as a ‘diary clash’ before the true reason was revealed.
The Telegraph revealed her holiday, adding that an apologetic statement had been read out to the audience from Ms Badenoch to excuse her absence.
Sponsored
LifeHackin
LifeHackinRub Toothpaste On Your Fingernails, Here's Why
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
READ MORE: Tory leadership frontrunner emerges in key new poll of members
Ms Badenoch issued a passionate defence of her decision (Image: Getty)
It read: “I strongly supported a long, extended contest because as a Conservative I believe in free and fair competition”.
“Inevitably, over such a long period of time, there will be times when all six of us cannot attend every single event, and I’m afraid that today, that is the case for me.
“I am so sorry that I cannot be with you today in Yarm, but I know that there will be more opportunities for us to meet in the coming weeks and months. Teesside is such an integral part of the Conservative success story of recent years.”
Ms Badenoch has now won support from her fellow Conservatives and others after she passionately defended her summer break following the revelation.
Don't miss...
Reform UK candidate attacks 'two-tier' policing after alleged death threat [LATEST]
British life expectancy a 'national disgrace' [LATEST]
James Cleverly says 'people are dying in the Channel' because of Labour [LATEST]
Her five competitors gathered at Yarm School yesterday for a husting (Image: Tom Tugendhat)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The top Tory tweeted: “Articles portraying politicians negatively for having a family life have done much to toxify the environment for MPs”.
“We can do better than this.
“It was a pleasure to be one of the first candidates to the North East earlier this month.
“With over 100 invitations to speak, I’ll be back again touring the country after I’ve had time with my family who I promised a holiday - I’m keeping that promise.”
Former Tory MP Alexander Stafford replied: “One of the key Conservative values is putting family first”.
“After a gruelling election and almost two years as a Secretary of State where I witnessed Kemi making countless personal sacrifices, it is right she is spending some time with her young family.”
Trending
Former MP Conor Burns added: “Absolutely right. Since the election I have realised how tired I was. Politics is remorseless”.
“When I was doing the US State trade deals I would often text Kemi Badenoch from 6am up to 11pm and she replied.
“Kemi works hard and needs a break. Her kids deserve that. As does Hamish [her husband].“
Fellow ex-MP Bob Seely said: “Agreed. Well done Kemi for looking after your family. Shows you are your own woman”.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Nicky Gavron dead: Ken Livingstone's deputy mayor dies at home
12 Comments
Springwatch host Chris Packham sparks frenzy with response to Keir Starmer's Thatcher row
143 Comments
Liz Truss ‘considered cutting free cancer care on NHS' as mini-Budget unravelled
213 Comments
Keir Starmer slammed by Jeremy Vine fans as Margaret Thatcher debate sparks fury
47 Comments
New bid to block Labour's Winter Fuel Payments cut as pensioners face ￡670 hit
438 Comments
Keir Starmer's popularity plunges to record low after winter fuel payments betrayal
684 Comments
Tories slam Keir Stamer as PM to give major speech as cronyism row rages
172 Comments
Nigel Farage issues stark Brexit warning as Keir Starmer pushes for closer EU ties
1551 Comments
New Tory leadership poll shows two candidates are neck-and-neck
604 Comments
Top Tory explains simple way to bring back voters from Reform but doesn't mention Farage
116 Comments
What Keir Starmer is really plotting with EU elites in visits to Germany and France
346 Comments
New poll on Tory leadership contenders reveals one clear frontrunner
215 Comments
Rishi Sunak among senior Tories demanding Labour come clean over Winter Fuel Payments
221 Comments
Watch out Keir! Starmer must focus on these key issues during negotiations with EU leaders
16 Comments
Happy in Shape
Cruise Ship Encounters Pirates - Watch What the Captain Does Next!Happy in Shape
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Tory leadership state of play as they face 'critical' moment in election race
126 Comments
Keir Starmer accused of waging 'war on middle classes' by Tory leadership candidate
41 Comments
Tom Tugendhat backed by local politicians as Conservative Party leadership race hots up
252 Comments
Disaster for Nigel Farage as major donor could help put Reform UK 'out of business'
432 Comments
Bombshell poll reveals huge Tory support for merger with Nigel Farage's Reform UK
973 Comments
Keir Starmer plans crackdown on MPs' second jobs in autumn policy blitz
112 Comments
Nicky Gavron dead: Ken Livingstone's deputy mayor dies at home
12 Comments
Springwatch host Chris Packham sparks frenzy with response to Keir Starmer's Thatcher row
143 Comments
Liz Truss ‘considered cutting free cancer care on NHS' as mini-Budget unravelled
213 Comments
Keir Starmer slammed by Jeremy Vine fans as Margaret Thatcher debate sparks fury
47 Comments
New bid to block Labour's Winter Fuel Payments cut as pensioners face ￡670 hit
438 Comments
Keir Starmer's popularity plunges to record low after winter fuel payments betrayal
684 Comments
Tories slam Keir Stamer as PM to give major speech as cronyism row rages
172 Comments
Nigel Farage issues stark Brexit warning as Keir Starmer pushes for closer EU ties
1551 Comments
NeuroFlex Hip Stabilizer
Seniors with Sciatica Pain: You Need to See ThisNeuroFlex Hip Stabilizer
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
New Tory leadership poll shows two candidates are neck-and-neck
604 Comments
Top Tory explains simple way to bring back voters from Reform but doesn't mention Farage
116 Comments
What Keir Starmer is really plotting with EU elites in visits to Germany and France
346 Comments
New poll on Tory leadership contenders reveals one clear frontrunner
215 Comments
Rishi Sunak among senior Tories demanding Labour come clean over Winter Fuel Payments
221 Comments
Watch out Keir! Starmer must focus on these key issues during negotiations with EU leaders
16 Comments
Tory leadership state of play as they face 'critical' moment in election race
126 Comments
Keir Starmer accused of waging 'war on middle classes' by Tory leadership candidate
41 Comments
Tom Tugendhat backed by local politicians as Conservative Party leadership race hots up
252 Comments
Disaster for Nigel Farage as major donor could help put Reform UK 'out of business'
432 Comments
Bombshell poll reveals huge Tory support for merger with Nigel Farage's Reform UK
973 Comments
Keir Starmer plans crackdown on MPs' second jobs in autumn policy blitz
112 Comments
Nicky Gavron dead: Ken Livingstone's deputy mayor dies at home
12 Comments
Springwatch host Chris Packham sparks frenzy with response to Keir Starmer's Thatcher row
143 Comments
Liz Truss ‘considered cutting free cancer care on NHS' as mini-Budget unravelled
213 Comments
Keir Starmer slammed by Jeremy Vine fans as Margaret Thatcher debate sparks fury
47 Comments
New bid to block Labour's Winter Fuel Payments cut as pensioners face ￡670 hit
438 Comments
Keir Starmer's popularity plunges to record low after winter fuel payments betrayal
684 Comments
Tories slam Keir Stamer as PM to give major speech as cronyism row rages
172 Comments
Ms Badenoch even won support from Labour MP Florence Eshalomi, who also came to the shadow Housing Secretary’s defence, arguing: “The reality is that MPs of all political parties still work in their constituency during recess but it is important to also spend time with your family”.
“Breaking a promise to children is every parent & carer's worst nightmare as those children will deal with you.”
Ms Badenoch is the party membership’s favourite pick for the next Tory leader.