The Leader of Britain's Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch speaks during a press conference in London, Tuesday, June 9, 2026.Kemi Badenoch has been told she is “not fit to be prime minister” after comparing a cabinet minister to a Nazi.
The Tory leader said education secretary Bridget Phillipson “has acted like a Gestapo officer” by ending a tax break for private schools.
Badenoch made the remark in an interview with The Spectator.
Responding on X, Phillipson said: “The Gestapo marched hundreds of thousands of innocent people to their deaths. I’ve ended private schools’ tax breaks to invest in state schools.
“No responsible leader makes vile comparisons like this. Kemi Badenoch is not fit to be Prime Minister.”
The Gestapo marched hundreds of thousands of innocent people to their deaths.
I've ended private schools' tax breaks to invest in state schools.
No responsible leader makes vile comparisons like this. Kemi Badenoch is not fit to be Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/KvBOZIJqYF
Labour MP Phil Brickell, secretary of the all party parliamentary group on Germany, called on Badenoch to apologise.
He said: “Kemi Badenoch’s characterisation of Bridget Phillipson as having ‘acted like a Gestapo officer’ over private school VAT fees are contemptible, unbecoming of any parliamentarian and demonstrate – yet again – that Badenoch is completely unfit for public office.
“Her remarks serve no purpose but to undermine the UK-Germany relationship and sow unnecessary division. Ad hominem attacks such as this inexplicable reference to Nazi-era officials should not be tolerated in our public discourse.
“I had hoped that language such as this was a thing of the past. Kemi Badenoch should withdraw her comments immediately and unreservedly apologise.”
A spokesman for Badenoch said: “Bridget Phillipson has pursued a class war on independent schools, forcing many treasured schools to shut, upending the lives of young people across the country, and sending hundreds of children into already overcrowded state schools.
“Worse still, the money from her vindictive tax raid was supposed to fund new teachers, and even the Department for Education’s own website says teacher numbers are lower than under the Conservatives.
“Instead of getting self-righteous, Phillipson should focus on her job. Or even better – stand aside for someone who isn’t out to ruin the lives of people who don’t vote Labour.”
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