He was asked on GB News if he was establishment candidateMrs Badenoch said:I gain support from everyone. Why can’t he win everyone’s support? I think that’s the important thing.

“I am very proud of the people who brought us from the opposition to the government i think i can do it.

“The people who started in opposition and ended up in government were Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron. They didn’t do it with a new manifesto. They did it starting from the first principles.

“That’s what I want to do and I think it’s very sad that (Mr Jenrick) has to peddle conspiracy theories.”

In July, the Conservative Party said it had introduced a yellow card penalty system to prevent candidates from attacking each other in the media.

Bob Blackman, who has been overseeing the leadership race as chairman of the Committee since 1922, said he would issue a yellow card and a public censure to any candidate who attacked a rival.

Conservative Party headquarters have been contacted for comment.