Leadership hopeful’s campaign team say Gove ‘and acolytes’ have been responsible for the ‘drama that has led our party to where it is’

Kemi Badenoch has criticised a Conservative MP’s suggestion she could not head the Tories because she was too “preoccupied” with her children, saying “it isn’t always women who have parental responsibilities”.

Sir Christopher Chope says ‘you can’t spend all your time with your family at the same time as being leader of the opposition’

The school absence rate for England for the autumn and spring terms of 2023-24 was down on the same period the year before – but still much higher than pre-pandemic, according to figures out from the Department for Education.

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,

Kemi Badenoch ‘preoccupied with her children’ says Conservative MP - Veteran Tory Sir Christopher Chope said ‘you can’t spend all your time with your family as at the same time being Leader of the Opposition’.