Kemi Badenoch Meets Presenters Again and Again in the Messy Media Roundup

Kemi Badenoch she met with three different journalists who were on her media round this morning.

The business secretary and the equality minister were speaking to broadcasters about it Conservative plans to change the Equality Act to rewrite the definition of sex, and allow organizations to ban transgender women from single-sex spaces.

Her (highly controversial) policies were not so much, however, as her responses to questions that caused a stir.

Badenoch started his media tour by tackling Sky News presenter Kay Burley’s line of questioning.

Burley asked the Minister about a Times article she had written explaining Tory policy, and began one sentence by saying “there are obviously extremes”.

Badenoch interrupted her, and said: “Extremes? What do you mean by extreme conditions?”

“Well, you tell me what you wrote your article about,” Burley said.

Badenoch said: “I didn’t write anything about extreme conditions, I’m just asking what you mean.”

“I do the questions, if you don’t mind,” Burley replied.

“I didn’t understand your question!” Badenoch hit back.

They had a similar misunderstanding when Burley asked how transgender people would use public toilets under this Tory scheme – only Badenoch repeated that she did not understand the question.

Burley finished explaining with a sigh of exasperation.

When the presenter tried to ask her about her previous comments about the impact of stricken NHS workers on waiting lists, Badenoch refused to answer.

She said: “What I’m not going into is any kind of conversation that makes it look like I’m disparaging NHS workers.”

A short time later, Badenoch charged Times Radio presenter Stig Abell invited her on his morning show about “false pretences” because he tried to ask her about something that was not the responsibility of the department.

Abell had tried to ask her about social care reforms, but Badenoch refused.

“We talked a lot about equality, we’re talking about the issues that matter to people!” Abell said.

She said: “You’re asking for very specific and granular detail that I can’t provide.”

Instead, she said she was able to tell him what the plan was.

“You said the status quo was the plan!” replied Abell.

Badenoch denied that and said more changes will be listed in the Conservative manifesto – but she insisted he would have to speak to the health secretary for more details.

It is normal practice for every member of government to be asked about any other part of government.

Badenoch was interviewed for the top slot on BBC Radio 4′s Today program – but not so well, either.

Presenter Mishal Husain asked the minister if she thought it was appropriate for any Tory candidate to appear on a podcast related to Carl Benjamin, a YouTuber who mocked the rape of Labor MP Jess Phillips.

Her comments come after an old PM Liz Truss – who is standing again in this election for the Conservatives – criticized the Tory chairman for doing so.

Badenoch said Benjamin’s comments were “not appropriate”, but suggested that “I shouldn’t be saying who can and can’t appear on a podcast I’ve never heard of.”

“You haven’t heard of this? Okay, so, I think I know exactly what it was about,” said Husain. “Do you think that is in line with the protection of women?”

Badenoch deflection: “I am sure that many people, including people who have the BBCsaid inappropriate things.”

“I’m talking about someone who is standing for your party,” said Husain.

“We still don’t live in a society where we’re going to prevent people from talking on media shows,” Badenoch replied.

Husain asked: “Is it appropriate for a Conservative candidate given your commitment to protecting women?”

But the Minister replied: “As I said, Mishal, this has nothing to do with the protection of women, it has to do with freedom of speech and things we believe may be appropriate or inappropriate.”

She added: “I think it’s quite inappropriate for a BBC presenter to decide what shows a candidate should be on.”

“That’s your question, minister of women,” said Husain.

Badenoch said it is up to Truss’ constituents to “decide whether she has done a good job,” adding that she personally dislikes being asked about “trivial and serious” issues.

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