As the Conservative leadership race intensifies, Kemi Badenoch faces unexpected allegations that could shake up her campaign. Here’s the full story.
Leadership Race Off the Rails
The Conservative leadership race only started a few days ago, and already, things seem to be going off the rails. Just days after the party instituted a “yellow card” system to prevent Tory-on-Tory backstabbing and attacks, Kemi Badenoch, widely considered the frontrunner, has been forced to deny accusations of bullying during her time as the Business and Trade Secretary.
Politically Motivated Smears
Badenoch, now the shadow Housing Secretary, has labelled the bullying accusations, first reported by the Guardian, as politically motivated smears intended to disrupt her campaign for the Conservative leadership.
Toxic Work Environment
The Guardian allegations accuse Badenoch of creating a “toxic” and “intimidating” atmosphere in the department, which ultimately led several civil servants to leave their positions due to the stress of the situation.
Liberal Paper’s Allegations
The controversy began when the Guardian, one of the few liberal newspapers in the United Kingdom, published an article alleging that Badenoch’s behaviour when she was Business and Trade secretary created a distressing work environment in the department.
Officials Felt Compelled to Leave
According to the report, multiple sources claimed that at least three officials felt they had no choice but to leave their roles due to what they described as “bullying and traumatising” conduct by Badenoch.
Intimidation and Fear
The sources painted a dire picture of intimidation, with sustained attacks on individual staffers, where many “dreaded” meetings with Badenoch.
Badenoch Refutes Allegations
Badenoch quickly took to social media to refute the allegations vehemently. However, before she addressed the concerns raised in the article, Badenoch took a page out of the Trump playbook and accused the liberal newspaper of being against her in particular.
“Guardian Hit Job”
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she called the accusations a “Guardian hit job,” and argued, “Clearly my campaign launch has spooked the lefties and now they’re coming for the one person they know can beat Keir Starmer.”
Smears From Former Staff
In a lengthy thread on X, Badenoch wrote, “Let’s be clear: these allegations are smears from former staff who I sacked after they were accused of bullying behaviour, lying about other colleagues to cover up their own failures and general gross incompetence. Intolerable behaviour I would not stand for.”
No Complaints or Investigations
She added, “The business department has confirmed to the Guardian there were no complaints about me and no investigations. It’s all utterly false.”
Department Statement
A Department of Business and Trade spokesperson stated, “We cannot comment on individual HR matters. However, there have never been any formal complaints or investigations into the previous secretary of state’s conduct at this department.”
Worst Timing for Conservatives
The allegations could not come at a worse time for the Conservative Party, still reeling from the worst election result in its history. The party now has to grapple with a leadership election, internal strife, and the constant threat of Reform UK eating into its vote share.
Leadership Race Candidates
Badenoch is joined by five other Conservatives in the leadership race, including James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, and Priti Patel, with each candidate setting out markedly different views for the party’s future.
Town Hall Meeting Reports
Despite Badenoch’s rejection of the accusations in the Guardian, there have been reports of a senior official from Badenoch’s former department holding a town hall meeting last December to address pervasive issues of low morale in the department. This meeting reportedly responded to the distress among staff attributed to Badenoch’s leadership style.
Routine Meetings
However, the department spokesperson refuted these claims, stating, “It is common for Government departments to seek the views of civil servants and to discuss the results of those surveys in routine meetings with staff. We do not tolerate abuse or bullying of any kind.”
Campaign Continues
Despite the controversy, Badenoch has vowed to continue her leadership campaign, writing on X, “I won’t let it stop me or my campaign. The renewal of my party and the country is too important to let the Guardian, acting for the Labour Party, disrupt.”
Previous Bullying Allegations
Badenoch is not the first Conservative leadership contender to be accused of bullying. Priti Patel was accused of breaching the Ministerial Code with her “vicious” attacks against Sir Philip Rutnam, a senior civil servant who worked in her department.
Long Shadow Over Campaign
The bullying allegations against Kemi Badenoch have cast a long shadow over her leadership race despite her and the Department of Business and Trade’s denials.
Conservative Party Tensions
With tensions within the Conservative Party already at breaking point, it remains to be seen what else it would take to damage further the candidates, the party, or their much-reduced standing with the electorate.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / B. Lenoir.