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Andrea Leadsom has suggested men should not be hired to look after young children because they may be paedophiles.

During a discussion on the challenges faced by parents, the newly-appointed Environment Secretary said it would be "sensible" not to appoint males for childcare duties.

Her comments were made during an interview with The Times before she dropped out of the Tory leadership race to hand the keys to Number 10 to Theresa May.

Brexit-backer Mrs Leadsom sparked fury after she appeared to suggest in the same interview that being a mother meant she would be a better Prime Minister than Theresa May, who cannot have children.

The Times today revealed further comments made during the interview in a discussion on childcare.

"As an employer we’re not, let’s face it, most of us don’t employ men as nannies, most of us don’t," she said.

Now you can call that sexist, I call that cautious and very sensible when you look at the stats Andrea Leadsom

"Now you can call that sexist, I call that cautious and very sensible when you look at the stats. Your odds are stacked against you if you employ a man.

"We know paedophiles are attracted to working with children. I’m sorry but they’re the facts."

About five per cent of nannies are men.

Mrs Leadsom's comments are likely to spark anger in the industry.

Lucy Powell, a former shadow Education Secretary, told The Times: “These comments show an enormous lack of judgment on Andrea’s part.

"She should know as well as I know that not only are men just as capable of doing childcare jobs but we should want to encourage more men into those jobs as they can bring other benefits.”