Andrea Leadsom’s ‘personal apology’ to Theresa May over kids row was actually sent by text
Energy Minister had said he more of a 'stake' in Britain's future than the Home Secretary because she had children
ANDREA Leadsom has apologised to leadership rival Theresa May after she reportedly claimed she would make a better PM because she is a mother.
The 53-year-old mum-of-three faced a fierce backlash after saying having children gave her a greater “stake” in Britain’s future than the childless Home Secretary.
The Energy Minister said last night: “I’ve already said to Theresa how very sorry I am for any hurt I have caused and how that article said completely the opposite of what I said and believe.”
She admits she felt “under attack, under enormous pressure”, adding: “It has been shattering.”
She added: “Having children has no bearing on the ability to be PM.
“I deeply regret that anyone has got the impression that I think otherwise.”
But it has since emerged the personal apology to Mrs May was sent by text message rather than a phone call or in person.
A spokeswoman for frontrunner Mrs May said: "Theresa was very grateful for the message and thanked Andrea for it."
Mrs Leadsom has refused to say how the message was delivered.
Earlier, angry claims that Mrs Leadsom is the victim of a “Project Smear” were branded nonsense.
Ex-Tory boss Iain Duncan Smith claimed the leadership hopeful’s name was being blackened to make sure she loses to Theresa May.
He said: “We’ve had sniping, a real ‘black ops’ operation to denigrate her reputation.
“Project Fear has now morphed into Project Smear”.
Mrs Leadsom’s campaign manager Tim Loughton added: “The establishment seems to be getting Andrea.
“They’re trying to make out she has toxic views just because she is a Brexit candidate.”
Related stories
But the Home Secretary’s supporters insisted the Energy Minister had only herself to blame for a series of blunders.
A Theresa May campaign source said: “It’s total nonsense. IDS doesn’t do himself any favours by claiming conspiracy theories like this.
“Andrea is doing all this to herself, she doesn’t need anyone’s help.”
But far from hiding in the shadows, a series of senior Tories mounted open attacks on Mrs Leadsom yesterday.
Employment Minister Priti Patel, who campaigned for Brexit alongside Mrs Leadsom, suggested she could become the Tories’ Jeremy Corbyn if she wins.
Leaving the EU would also be harder to deliver under the former banker, Ms Patel insisted.
Ms Patel said: “To govern we have got to be able to carry the support of Members of Parliament.
“That’s incredibly important.
“I don’t need to give a re-run of what’s happening with Labour right now.”
Former Tory leadership contender David Davis added: “She’s a junior minister at the moment leaping into the hardest job in the government at the hardest possible time.
“She’s too inexperienced for it”.
Meanwhile, a senior Vote Leave figure revealed Mrs May’s rival was nicknamed “Andrea Loathsome” in their office during the EU referendum campaign.
She was also “totally unreliable” and would be a “f****** disaster as prime minister”, the figure said.
The source added that it was “a joke” to suggest Mrs Leadsom had played a leading role in Brexit’s victory and she had to be “coached within inches of her life” before her TV debate performances.