Cringe moment 30p Lee Anderson’s new boss is told about his views

Rishi Sunak decided to appoint 30p Lee Anderson as Tory deputy chair of the party.

It might make sense to try and calm the red wall Tories, but for many others it is a crazy move.

To many critics Anderson is known as “30p Lee” after arguing that food bank users did not understand how to budget, and that entire, nutritious meals could be cooked for 30p a time.

Hands

Greg Hands, the new Conservative party chair, has been sent out today to defend the appointment of his new member of staff.

Hands described Lee Anderson as a “fantastic asset” – but declined to defend some of his past remarks. 

Asked if he agreed with Anderson that nurses were only having to use food banks because they could not budget, Hands said: “I’m not gonna give a running commentary on things that may have been said in the past.”

Nick Ferrari – How are Lee Anderson's views an asset to the Tory Party?

Greg Hands – I don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of what people have said in the past

NF – Presumably his views are in line with the Tory Party of today… you wouldn't promote him otherwise?#LBC pic.twitter.com/GewUcVzc4T

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) February 8, 2023

“Lee Anderson is a fantastic asset for the party. He is a man of great integrity.”

New Conservative Party chairman @GregHands tells #TimesRadio he won’t give a “running commentary” on the controversial things his deputy Lee Anderson has said in the past about food bank users. pic.twitter.com/0mbandkisP

— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) February 8, 2023

Related: 30p Lee Anderson has top new job – astonished reactions