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.
The audio of #Leadsom sneering that 'I have children' is fatal to her leadership bid. Expect her to withdrawal today.
— John Prescott (@johnprescott) July 9, 2016
Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton & Ripon, tweeted his disappointment.
Devastatingly depressing,divisive comments on childless women & men by @andrealeadsom. I am so disappointed and embarrassed. #ToryLeadership
— Julian Smith MP (@juliansmithmp) July 8, 2016
Another Tory MP, Alan Duncan, tweeted his disgust.
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.
— Alan Duncan (@AlanDuncanMP) July 8, 2016
Newsnight’s policy editor Chris Cook is one of many who questioned Leadsom’s reaction to the way the Times used her comments.
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
— Chris Cook (@xtophercook) July 9, 2016
PR guru Julia Hobsbawn also commented.
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
— julia hobsbawm (@juliahobsbawm) July 9, 2016
The author Kathy Lette tweeted in response.
An end to gay marriage, promises of zero hour contracts + digs at May’s childlessness - #Leadsom making Margaret Thatcher look like Mandela
— Kathy Lette (@KathyLette) July 9, 2016
MSP Mark McDonald, of the SNP, tweeted about Leadsom’s “unconvincing defence”.
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'
— Mark McDonald (@markmcdsnp) July 9, 2016
Others took a slightly more conspiracy theory approach, like Sky News’s political correspondent Beth Rigby.
MP points out me that IF Leadsom did withdraw from race, @Gove2016 COULD mount legal challenge to be reinstated as opposition candidate.....
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) July 9, 2016
