'People have been underestimating me since I was 16'

Kemi shrugs off talk of leadership plots

- By Jonathan Walker

CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch insisted “people always underestimate me” as she shrugged off reports that colleagues are plotting to remove her.

Speculation about her future has been prompted by the Tories’ poor showing in local elections, as well as an opinion poll that has the party lagging behind Reform, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Nasty

But a defiant Ms Badenoch told Sky News: “People always underestimate me. They have been underestimating me since I was 16 years old and I came back to the UK [from Nigeria] with £100. My dad’s last £100, working at McDonald’s to look after myself.”

Tory insiders fear she faces an “inevitable” leadership challenge.