THE campaign manager of Tory leadership contender Andrea Leadsom has himself also faced criticism for comments on childless women.

Mrs Leadsom faced a backlash after she appeared to suggest being a mother would give her an advantage over her Conservative leadership rival Theresa May.

Worthing MP Tim Loughton - who is Mrs Leadsom’s campaign manager, yesterday defended her comments about Theresa May's lack of children.

Mrs May is unable to have children but Mr Loughton said “the establishment" was "trying to get Andrea”.

She was criticised for saying in an interview with the Times: "I feel that being a mum means you have a very real stake in the future of our country, a tangible stake.

"She possibly has nieces, nephews, lots of people, but I have children who are going to have children who will directly be a part of what happens next."

Defending Leadsom, Mr Loughton said: “People are fired up and inspired by different things. I’m godfather to Andrea’s eldest son, her children are the things that fire her up. What she is saying is she is passionate about her kids. Since when has it been a crime to be proud about your children?”

But Mr Loughton himself came under fire in 2013 after the former children's minister suggested Liberal Democrat Sarah Teather had been a poor families minister because she failed to "produce" a child of her own.

He apologised to Ms Teather after saying she "doesn't really believe in family" and "certainly didn't produce one of her own."

However the father of three protested that his "throwaway comment" was "not really fair" and had meant to focus on Lib Dem policy.

In a statement outside her constituency home in Northamptonshire, Mrs Leadsom said: "I want to be crystal clear that everyone has an equal stake in our society and the future of our country. That is what I believe and it is what I have always believed.

"I have repeated my instructions to my campaign team that this campaign must at all times be principled and honourable."

A transcript of the interview was released by the newspaper following Mrs Leadsom's complaints.