Conservative leadership contender Kemi Badenoch is facing a backlash for allegedly “stigmatising” autism. The Independent reported that she endorsed a contentious report proposing that individuals with autism receive “economic advantages and protections”. The report further suggested that those with the condition are granted “better treatment or equipment at school”.
The endorsement of this report by Ms Badenoch has stirred criticism, with former Conservative cabinet minister Robert Buckland expressing disapproval, stating that such a document should not contribute to stigmatisation or grouping certain categories together. This latest controversy comes on the heels of previous contentious remarks by Badenoch, including referring to statutory maternity pay as “excessive” and suggesting that thousands of civil servants belong in jail.
Her opponent in the leadership race, Robert Jenrick, also faced controversy recently after indicating remorse for concealing cartoon murals at a migrant processing facility during his tenure as immigration minister. The report, which includes contributions from 24 of Badenoch’s supporters, focuses on guiding the Conservative Party to recovery following its significant defeat to Labour in the general election.
A specific section in the report addresses mental health issues such as autism and anxiety, asserting that individuals with these diagnoses receive special treatment not granted to others. The report suggests that a neurodiversity diagnosis is often viewed as a disability analogous to race or biological sex in terms of discrimination law and general perceptions.
A spokesperson for Kemi Badenoch defended her, stating that inferring prejudice from the report would be inaccurate. They clarified that she authored the report’s foreword and that the authors aim to highlight the increasing impact of mental health on productivity as a pressing societal concern. Meanwhile, Robert Buckland, who conducted a review on employment rates for autistic individuals, remarked that the section in question seemed muddled and cautioned against stigmatisation or conflating different categories.
The controversy surrounding Badenoch has drawn criticism from various quarters, with Liberal Democrats’ justice spokesperson Josh Babarinde characterising her as out of touch and lacking compassion. As the backlash continues, Ms Badenoch’s campaign has been approached for comment on the matter.