Social media posts say energy minister’s interview and denial could mean end of Tory leadership bid

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Andrea Leadsom has been widely criticised on social media for her reaction to the way the Times presented comments she made in an interview.

The energy minister said that being a mother was an advantage in the Tory leadership contest because it showed she had a “real stake” in Britain’s future.

Leadsom claimed she had been misreported, but the Times released a recording of the interview, with the journalist Rachel Sylvester, in which she said: “I am sure Theresa will be really sad she doesn’t have children so I don’t want this to be ‘Andrea has children, Theresa hasn’t’ because I think that would be really horrible.

“Genuinely I feel that being a mum means you have a real stake in the future of our country, a tangible stake.”

The former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott tweeted that the recording of her comments could prove fatal to Leadsom’s bid to beat May in the Tory leadership ballot and thus become prime minister.

John Prescott (@johnprescott) The audio of #Leadsom sneering that 'I have children' is fatal to her leadership bid. Expect her to withdrawal today.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton & Ripon, tweeted his disappointment.

Julian Smith MP (@juliansmithmp) Devastatingly depressing,divisive comments on childless women & men by @andrealeadsom. I am so disappointed and embarrassed. #ToryLeadership

Another Tory MP, Alan Duncan, tweeted his disgust.

Alan Duncan (@AlanDuncanMP) I'm gay and in a civil partnership. No children, but ten nieces and nephews. Do I not have a stake in the future of the country? Vile.

Newsnight’s policy editor Chris Cook is one of many who questioned Leadsom’s reaction to the way the Times used her comments.

Chris Cook (@xtophercook) Leadsom now does not deny what she said, but wants a retraction because she doesn't like how the Times used it. pic.twitter.com/nBFFVWh5gt

PR guru Julia Hobsbawn also commented.

julia hobsbawm (@juliahobsbawm) Not sure which is more of a low blow: trying to smear your opponent for not having children or trying to deny that is what you did. #leadsom

The author Kathy Lette tweeted in response.

Kathy Lette (@KathyLette) An end to gay marriage, promises of zero hour contracts + digs at May’s childlessness - #Leadsom making Margaret Thatcher look like Mandela

MSP Mark McDonald, of the SNP, tweeted about Leadsom’s “unconvincing defence”.



Mark McDonald (@markmcdsnp) Leadsom's unconvincing defence seems to be 'I said don't make your story focus on this rather unfortunate view I'm about to express to you'

Others took a slightly more conspiracy theory approach, like Sky News’s political correspondent Beth Rigby.