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Andrea Leadsom apologises to Theresa May over 'motherhood' remark Andrea Leadsom apologises to Theresa May over motherhood remark
(35 minutes later)
Andrea Leadsom has apologised to Theresa May after she was accused of suggesting being a mother made her a better candidate for prime minister. Andrea Leadsom has apologised to Theresa May after suggesting being a mother made her a better candidate for prime minister.
The energy minister told the Daily Telegraph: "I've already said to Theresa how very sorry I am for any hurt I have caused."The energy minister told the Daily Telegraph: "I've already said to Theresa how very sorry I am for any hurt I have caused."
The row broke out after Mrs Leadsom said having children meant she had "a very real stake" in Britain's future. The row began after Mrs Leadsom told the Times being a mum meant she had "a very real stake" in Britain's future.
She later said having children had "no bearing on the ability to be PM". Mrs Leadsom later sent Mrs May a text of apology, the BBC understands.
Tory contender: Andrea Leadsom Aides to Mrs May say the home secretary was "grateful" for the message and texted her thanks.
Tory contender: Theresa May They say Mrs May always believed Mrs Leadsom had not meant to cause any offence.
Guide to the Conservative leadership race In the Times, Mrs Leadsom had discussed her bid to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, and therefore the UK's next prime minister.
Mrs Leadsom made her original comments during an interview in the Times, in which she discussed her bid to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, and therefore the UK's next prime minister. She said Mrs May, the home secretary and Mrs Leadsom's rival, who has no children - "possibly has nieces, nephews, lots of people.
The article quoted Mrs Leadsom as saying Mrs May, the home secretary who is her opponent in the leadership race, "possibly has nieces, nephews, lots of people.
"But I have children who are going to have children who will directly be part of what happens next"."But I have children who are going to have children who will directly be part of what happens next".
Aides to Mrs May said the home secretary was "grateful" for the apology message and thanked Mrs Leadsom for it in a text reply, said Norman Smith, BBC assistant political editor. Mrs Leadsom told the Daily Telegraph motherhood should not play a part in the Conservative leadership campaign and added that she deeply regretted "that anyone has got the impression that I think otherwise".
They said Mrs May always believed her opponent had not meant to cause any offence.
Mrs Leadsom told the Telegraph motherhood should not play a part in the Tory leadership campaign and added that she deeply regretted "that anyone has got the impression that I think otherwise".
She went on to say the Times article "said completely the opposite of what I said and believe" and that the criticism she faced since left her feeling "under attack, under enormous pressure - it has been shattering".She went on to say the Times article "said completely the opposite of what I said and believe" and that the criticism she faced since left her feeling "under attack, under enormous pressure - it has been shattering".
"I was pressed to say how my children had formed my views. I didn't want it to be used as an issue," she said."I was pressed to say how my children had formed my views. I didn't want it to be used as an issue," she said.
Among those who had criticised Mrs Leadsom over her original comments were business minister Anna Soubry, who said her comments meant she was "not PM material", while Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said there was a "gulf in class" between the two candidates.Among those who had criticised Mrs Leadsom over her original comments were business minister Anna Soubry, who said her comments meant she was "not PM material", while Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said there was a "gulf in class" between the two candidates.
Senior MP Sir Alan Duncan said the energy minister's remarks were "vile". Senior MP Sir Alan Duncan said Mrs Leadsom's remarks were "vile".
However, Mrs Leadsom's key supporter Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, has said she is facing a "black-ops" campaign by MPs who want to "denigrate her reputation".However, Mrs Leadsom's key supporter Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, has said she is facing a "black-ops" campaign by MPs who want to "denigrate her reputation".