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Andrea Leadsom defended as establishment 'gangs up' Andrea Leadsom defended as establishment 'gangs up'
(35 minutes later)
Andrea Leadsom's campaign manager has defended the Tory leadership candidate as a "fresh face" who the establishment is "ganging up on".Andrea Leadsom's campaign manager has defended the Tory leadership candidate as a "fresh face" who the establishment is "ganging up on".
A row erupted after Mrs Leadsom was accused of saying that having children made her a better choice of leader.A row erupted after Mrs Leadsom was accused of saying that having children made her a better choice of leader.
But Conservative MP Tim Loughton told the BBC the energy minister's comments showed her passion for her family, adding: "That's what fires her up".But Conservative MP Tim Loughton told the BBC the energy minister's comments showed her passion for her family, adding: "That's what fires her up".
It comes as allies of rival candidate Theresa May step up their attack.It comes as allies of rival candidate Theresa May step up their attack.
The Sunday Times said some 20 MPs are ready to form a breakaway party if Mrs Leadsom is elected as leader.The Sunday Times said some 20 MPs are ready to form a breakaway party if Mrs Leadsom is elected as leader.
'Project Smear''Project Smear'
The newspaper said some of Mrs Leadsom's colleagues have called on her to stand down from the leadership race, quoting business minister Anna Soubry as saying she should "do us all a favour".The newspaper said some of Mrs Leadsom's colleagues have called on her to stand down from the leadership race, quoting business minister Anna Soubry as saying she should "do us all a favour".
But it reports that one of Mrs Leadsom's backers - former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith - said the attacks meant "Project Fear" from the EU referendum campaign "has morphed into Project Smear".But it reports that one of Mrs Leadsom's backers - former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith - said the attacks meant "Project Fear" from the EU referendum campaign "has morphed into Project Smear".
Mr Loughton, who is also godfather to Mrs Leadsom's eldest son, told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "The establishment are ganging up... it's all about 'let's gang up on Andrea'."Mr Loughton, who is also godfather to Mrs Leadsom's eldest son, told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "The establishment are ganging up... it's all about 'let's gang up on Andrea'."
Although Mrs Leadsom is known to be more socially conservative than home secretary Mrs May, Mr Loughton said: "There is nothing traditional about Andrea in this respect... This is a fresh candidate who has much more experience outside politics than all the other candidates put together."Although Mrs Leadsom is known to be more socially conservative than home secretary Mrs May, Mr Loughton said: "There is nothing traditional about Andrea in this respect... This is a fresh candidate who has much more experience outside politics than all the other candidates put together."
Mr Duncan Smith later told ITV's Peston on Sunday that Mrs Leadsom was "genuinely mortified" at the fallout over her interview with The Times.Mr Duncan Smith later told ITV's Peston on Sunday that Mrs Leadsom was "genuinely mortified" at the fallout over her interview with The Times.
"She's really, really passionate about children and her children," he said, adding: "Talking about your family shouldn't be a crime"."She's really, really passionate about children and her children," he said, adding: "Talking about your family shouldn't be a crime".
'Weakness''Weakness'
However, former shadow home secretary David Davis told the Marr programme: "It's not about intelligence, or good will, it's just experience."However, former shadow home secretary David Davis told the Marr programme: "It's not about intelligence, or good will, it's just experience."
He said Mrs Leadsom had come under pressure in the last week, but events had been "nothing like as pressurised as the prime minister's job".He said Mrs Leadsom had come under pressure in the last week, but events had been "nothing like as pressurised as the prime minister's job".
Mr Davis, who supports Mrs May's leadership bid, added that she was a junior minister who would be "leaping to the most difficult job in government at the most difficult time in our history".Mr Davis, who supports Mrs May's leadership bid, added that she was a junior minister who would be "leaping to the most difficult job in government at the most difficult time in our history".
"She's intelligent and charming and so on", he said, but her inexperience was a "weakness"."She's intelligent and charming and so on", he said, but her inexperience was a "weakness".
Employment minister Priti Patel, who campaigned for Brexit alongside Mrs Leadsom, also suggested that Mrs Leadsom lacked the experience to win a general election.Employment minister Priti Patel, who campaigned for Brexit alongside Mrs Leadsom, also suggested that Mrs Leadsom lacked the experience to win a general election.
Ms Patel, who is also backing Mrs May's campaign, compared the home secretary to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and said her experience was "second to none".Ms Patel, who is also backing Mrs May's campaign, compared the home secretary to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and said her experience was "second to none".
Asked about the Tory MPs who threatened to quit if Mrs Leadsom should be elected, Mr Duncan Smith said: "Calm down for God's sake, this is a leadership election and I think people will regret some of the things they have said."Asked about the Tory MPs who threatened to quit if Mrs Leadsom should be elected, Mr Duncan Smith said: "Calm down for God's sake, this is a leadership election and I think people will regret some of the things they have said."
He said Mrs Leadsom is "absolutely a decent, honourable person".He said Mrs Leadsom is "absolutely a decent, honourable person".
"I long ago decided that if and when the time was right I would like to see her at the head of the party," Mr Duncan Smith added."I long ago decided that if and when the time was right I would like to see her at the head of the party," Mr Duncan Smith added.
Ukip support
Meanwhile, the outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage and the head of the Leave EU campaign, Ukip donor Arron Banks, have voiced their support for Mrs Leadsom.
Writing in The Mail on Sunday, Mr Farage said she has the "guts" to take on Brussels.
He said: "I do not see Mrs May having the courage to do what is necessary to claim back the internationally recognised 200-mile fishing limit. Mrs Leadsom may lack cabinet experience, but I can attest to the fact that she has the guts."
Mr Banks told the Marr programme that if Mrs May won, Ukip would be "back with a vengeance".
Claiming that the Conservative party has a "dying membership", he said: "I think there's a huge opportunity for a different type of party".
Mr Banks said: "The elite have hated the referendum because it took the power away from them and actually I think this has been a wonderful thing."
Yet Mrs Leadsom has insisted she is "no Ukip sympathiser" and told The Times: "They don't advise me, I don't know them, I've never even met Arron Banks.
"My big hope in this campaign is that when we leave the EU that Ukip will be a thing of the past," she added.