She would cross the road to bite your ankles, whether you were goading her or not!”This is a remark from a long term admirer of Kemi Badenoch, delighted to see her win the Conservative leadership contest.

Kemi Badenoch said she will tell "hard truths" to both the country and her party as she began her first full day as Conservative leader. In her first interview since winning the Tory leadership election, Badenoch said the UK is getting poorer and older, and is being "outcompeted" by other countries.

Hamish Badenoch met Kemi when he was a Conservative activist in the Dulwich and West Norwood Tory association, which led to their friendship and his becoming her campaign manager. Hamish has been likened to Margaret Thatcher’s husband Denis who offered to give lifts to young Thatcher during her campaigns in the early 1950s.

Never frightened to ruffle feathers, new Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s willingness to say what others may regard as unsayable has made her the darling of the Tory grassroots.Her forthright views on issues from gender identity to institutional racism have thrilled supporters on the right while outraging critics on the left in equal measure.

Hamish Badenoch has largely stayed in the background as his wife has climbed to the top of the political ladder

Kemi Badenoch set to face Keir Starmer in first PMQs as Tory leader The Sun delivers breaking news, latest gossip and incredible exclusives around the world with hubs in London, New York, Scotland and Ireland.

In her victory speech last week, Badenoch promised to "renew" the Conservative Party, saying "it's time to get down to business".