Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope has sparked a backlash for suggesting Kemi Badenoch could not be the leader of the opposition because she spends "a lot of time with her family".

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 believes Kemi Badenoch shouldn't be the next leader of the opposition as she spends “a lot of time with her family.”