Kemi Badenoch, who is a leading contender for the Conservative leadership position, seems to be facing some unexpected and potentially unfair hurdles.
It has been suggested that she might be the target of some Whitehall dirty tricks aimed at derailing her bid for the top job.
Badenoch, the former Business Secretary and a favorite among bookmakers to replace Rishi Sunak, had hinted last weekend that she was preparing for the release of a ‘dirty dossier’ designed to tarnish her reputation and undermine her campaign.
The Guardian’s Allegations
Recently, The Guardian, known for its close ties with the Labour Party, has published two critical articles about Badenoch.
These articles, reportedly based on leaks from senior figures at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) — a department she led for 17 months — accuse her of creating a hostile work environment and making questionable requests while in office.
One article claimed that as Business Secretary, Badenoch fostered a ‘toxic’ atmosphere that drove three senior officials out due to her alleged bullying.
Another article accused her of asking officials to fund a flight from Mexico to Dallas to join her family while on government business, a request that was ultimately denied.
The article also criticized her for supposedly asking taxpayer-funded special advisers to handle personal tasks and for using her ministerial car for gym visits.
Discrepancies in Official Statements
In response to the second article, the DBT prepared an official statement clearing Badenoch of any breaches of the ministerial code.
This statement, which was vetted by Gareth Davies, the senior civil servant at the department, affirmed that Badenoch followed the proper procedures. However, this statement was never publicly released. Instead, The Guardian received a more generic statement that did not clearly exonerate Badenoch.
Questions Remain Unanswered
The missing statement raises several questions. Was there an intervention from No 10 or the influential Cabinet Office? The Conservative Party is suspicious of potential manipulation behind the scenes.
When asked for clarification, the Cabinet Office directed inquiries back to the DBT, and the DBT responded with a vague statement, leaving many questions unanswered.
Badenoch’s Position in the Leadership Race
Despite these challenges, Badenoch remains a strong contender in the Conservative leadership race. According to the latest Conservative Home league table, she is leading the pack, with Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverley trailing significantly behind.
Lord Mandelson, a key figure from the New Labour era, recently commented on Badenoch’s approach, noting her straightforwardness and willingness to challenge prevailing trends, which he believes resonates with many voters..
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