It has not been an enjoyable bank holiday weekend for Kemi Badenoch. The Sunday Times contained not one, but two, critical stories of the Tory leader. The first was about her choice of car in government; the second about a recent shadow cabinet meeting at which her MPs were instructed on ‘management theory and values.’ Labour opponents outside the party were quick to leap on the first story; Tory critics are circulating the second as proof of her ineffectiveness.
Badenoch had one of the prized slots on the Sunday morning round to answer back. On GB News, Camilla Tominey credited her guest for shouldering the burden on media commitments – unlike other members of the Tory frontbench. But it was on Sky that Badenoch came somewhat unstuck. Asked by Trevor Phillips for her view about the Israeli language and actions in Gaza, she replied:
Who funds Hamas? Iran, an enemy of this country.

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