Kemi Badenoch says the horrific case of evil incest monster Josef Fritzl made her lose her faith in God
In an interview with the BBC, Mrs Badenoch said she was 'never that religious' while growing up but 'believed in God' and would define herself as a 'Christian apologist'.
But this changed in 2008 when she read reports that Fritzl had imprisoned and repeatedly raped his daughter, Elisabeth, in his basement for 24 years.
Mrs Badenoch, whose grandfather was a Methodist minister, told Amol Rajan: 'I couldn't stop reading this story. I read how she prayed every day to be rescued.
'And I thought, I was praying for all sorts of stupid things and was getting my prayers answered. I was praying for good grades and for the bus to come on time.
'Why were my prayers answered and not this woman's? It was like someone blew out a candle.'
But she insisted that while she had 'rejected God', she had not rejected the religion and remained a 'cultural Christian', adding that she wanted to 'protect certain Christian values'.
During her interview, due to be broadcast tonight, Mrs Badenoch said her tenure as leader was going 'well'.
In an apparent dig at Nigel Farage's Reform UK, she said: 'There are pretenders.
'We're the only party on the centre-Right, and the only ones who still believe in values like making sure the Government is not getting involved in everything so it can focus on things like securing our borders.'
She went on to argue that parents 'worried about their children getting snatched' had created a generation that lacked the 'resilience' to face life's problems.
Mrs Badenoch then responded to figures suggesting a quarter of people aged 16-24 said they had a mental disorder, saying: 'I think they think they have a mental disorder, I don't think they all have a mental disorder.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
4 minutes ago
- Reuters
Morning Bid: Split Bank of England set to cut rates
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Kevin Buckland There's little doubt in the market's mind that the Bank of England will cut interest rates later today by another quarter point, making it five cuts in the past year. But a tricky balance between a slowing jobs market and nagging inflation worries could see the board split three ways, with two of the nine members potentially pushing for no change, while two others may lobby for a half-point reduction. The board's language will also be key, with a focus on whether the message of "gradual and careful" policy easing remains in place. Any signs of an extended pause would be a blow for Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who have promised to speed up Britain's slow economic growth. Away from the UK, the market's broad focus falls squarely on another central bank with some similar problems. The U.S. Federal Reserve has seen the macroeconomic data take a distinct downward turn over the past week - particularly the labour market - just days after the board opted to forgo a rate cut. But with worries about simmering inflationary forces as a result of President Donald Trump's bellicose tariff campaign also showing up in the data, Fed Chair Jerome Powell's wait-and-see stance also finds some support. Hanging over the Fed's debate - which saw two Trump-chosen Fed governors dissent in last week's decision - are the president's persistent and aggressive calls to cut rates, often framed with name-calling and threats to fire Powell before his chairmanship expires in May. The market's eyes are on Trump's short list of four possible replacements, and more immediately, his pick to fill a governor role abruptly vacated by Adriana Kugler. Meanwhile, Trump's barrage of tariff threats continues unabated, with a 100% duty on semiconductor imports and additional levies on India for importing Russian oil among the latest. Trump plans to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin next week about ending the war in Ukraine, which is buoying the euro while injecting uncertainty into the outlook for crude oil. Overall though, the market has become more inured to the constant tariff sabre-rattling and Japan's Topix index (.TOPX), opens new tab marched to a record peak while tech-heavy Taiwan shares (.TWII), opens new tab leapt more than 2% to the highest in over a year. Pan-European STOXX 50 futures are pointing 0.2% higher, with Wall Street futures also up by about the same amount. A strong U.S. earnings season is one reason for that. Coming up are Eli Lilly, ConocoPhillips and Warner Bros Discovery, among many others. Europe has a busy day of earnings reports as well, with Allianz, Siemens and Merck among them. On the data front, Germany has trade figures and industrial production numbers, while Britain gets a reading on house prices. Key developments that could influence markets on Thursday: -BoE policy decision -UK Halifax house prices (July) -German exports, imports, industrial production (all June) Trying to keep up with the latest tariff news? Our new daily news digest offers a rundown of the top market-moving headlines impacting global trade. Sign up for Tariff Watch here.
BBC News
4 minutes ago
- BBC News
Peterborough youth services to receive extra funding
Peterborough could be home to the region's first "youth zone" and has ambitions to become a "child-friendly" city, according to the local authority, which is set to receive funding under a new government Minister Sir Keir Starmer says money for young people's activities will be made available across the country, to be used for things such as youth clubs and music.A share of the £88m is set to go to Peterborough City the exact amount the city will get has not been revealed, Katy Cole, the authority's cabinet member for children's services, said the council was "absolutely delighted" to have secured the funding. The government said on Thursday that the money would be used to support projects for children "growing up in a digital world" by offering more opportunities in their City Council, which is run by a minority Labour administration, said it would work to draw up an action plan to develop "high-quality" offerings for young people. Leader Dennis Jones said: "Too many people have told us for too long that there is nothing for young people to do."As a former youth and community worker, I see our government's announcement as a truly positive initiative that complements all we wish to see for our children and young people." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
4 minutes ago
- BBC News
Northampton town centre crime crackdown results in 52 arrests
Beat officers targeting specific crimes in a town centre have made 52 arrests within the first four weeks of the said the operation in Northampton's Market Square area was tackling anti-social behaviour, retail offences, drugs and serious well as the arrests, officers conducted 29 stop searches as well as patrolling insecure buildings which could be a target for anti-social behaviour or has also been an increased use of community protection warnings (CPWs) and community protection notices (CPNs). Neighbourhood policing inspector Nicola Davis-Lyons said the project was building on successes seen last year, and had been welcomed by town centre businesses, workers and residents."We've been making good progress in terms of arrest figures, and our use of CPWs and CPNs is down to increased public reports about anti-social behaviour," she said. "Under-reporting is still an issue so we're really encouraging everyone to let us know about any suspicious or criminal activity they see or are aware of."Please have the confidence to share what you know with us, to help us do even more." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
