Conservative MP Danny Kruger has sparked controversy after suggesting his mother, Dame Prue Leith, has not “seen sense” regarding the assisted dying debate.
The 50-year-old politician made the remarks during a BBC Newsnight appearance, where he discussed their opposing views on the legislation.
“I regret my mum has not seen sense and come round to my point of view, but I understand why she hasn’t,” Kruger said when asked about their differing positions.
The comments came after the assisted dying bill passed its latest Commons vote by 314 to 291, a majority of 23. The legislation would permit terminally ill adults over 18 to receive medical assistance to end their lives.
Kruger has actively campaigned against the bill, whilst his mother supports it.
Social media users swiftly condemned the MP’s choice of words, with viewers taking to various platforms to express their disapproval.
“Breathtaking arrogance towards Prue Leith,” one viewer commented. Another wrote: “How arrogant. Accusing his own mother of not seeing sense, because she doesn’t share his views.”
A third person added: “Massive man baby has a tantrum because a woman has her own point of view.”
“What a bl**** condescending cheek,” another fumed on X, whole another added: “Poor Prue – she must be so sad at how he turned out!”
Some defended Kruger though, with one social media user writing: “Credit to Danny Kruger for being a decent person. I’ve followed some of his opposing argument for this bill, and wholly agree. Other MPs need to take notice. This is what a professional MP looks and sounds like.”
The backlash highlighted the strength of feeling surrounding the assisted dying debate, with many finding Kruger’s language particularly inappropriate given the personal nature of his mother’s stance.
Despite the criticism, Kruger maintained during the interview that the debate “has not broken any friendships for me at all, including of my own Party and certainly with my mum.”
The Great British Bake Off judge has been a passionate advocate for assisted dying following her brother David’s death from bone cancer in 2012.
She described him as her “best friend” and “confidant” in interviews about her support for the legislation.
Dame Prue’s position stems from witnessing David’s suffering firsthand. During a Sky News interview, she detailed his final days, saying he was in “absolute agony” and “begging for somebody to help him” as his life ended.
The bill, which has now passed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, represents a deeply personal issue for the television personality. MPs will have a final vote after the Lords complete their review of the legislation.
Dame Prue revealed that morphine only provided relief “for a couple of hours” during her brother’s final days.
“For his family to be round while he was crying, begging to die, begging to be given more morphine, it was desperate to watch,” she told Sky News.
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The experience left a lasting impact on the celebrity chef, who said everyone involved suffered, including the nurses caring for David. She paid tribute to her late brother, saying: “I’ll miss him until the day I die.”
Her personal tragedy has informed her stance on the assisted dying debate, putting her at odds with her son’s campaign against the proposed legislation. The bill now moves to the House of Lords for further consideration.