Ed Miliband makes TV presenter laugh with views on Kemi Badenoch sandwich rant

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News' Anna Jones he hopes to persuade Tory leader Kemi Badenoch of 'the delights of a bacon sandwich' after she dismissed them as not 'real food'

Ed Miliband has said he hopes to persuade Kemi Badenoch of "the delights of a bacon sandwich".

The Energy Secretary, who was famously pictured awkwardly eating the delicacy a decade ago, hit back after the Tory leader claimed sandwiches ar not "real food". Ms Badenoch sparked a backlash with her remarks after revealing she has someone bring a steak to her desk instead.

In an interview with The Spectator she also claimed lunch is "for wimps". Quizzed about the remarks by Sky News' Anna Jones, Mr Miliband said: "I wish I could have a cross-party consensus here with Kemi Badenich. But I can't. I think I need to persuade her of the delights of a bacon sandwich."

The remark was met by laughter from Ms Jones. The sarnie clash broke out after Ms Badenoch said: "I don't think sandwiches are a real food, it's what you have for breakfast." On Thursday No10 was having none of it.

Keir Starmer's spokesman said: "I think he was surprised to hear that the leader of the Opposition has a steak brought in for lunch. The Prime Minister is quite happy with a sandwich lunch."

The spokesman described the sandwich as a "great British institution" which, according to the British Sandwich Association, brings in £8 billion a year to the UK economy. Asked what the Prime Minister's favourite sandwich is, the spokesman said: "I think he enjoys a tuna sandwich and occasionally a cheese toastie."

Describing her daily routine, Ms Badenoch said: "What's a lunch break? Lunch is for wimps. I have food brought in and I work and eat at the same time." She added that she "will not touch bread if it’s moist”.

Her remarks sparked a backlash, with Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway saying: "It's made our viewers very cross". Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said: "I get where she's coming on with sandwiches because, you know, those of us we have low carb diets and all of that sort of business, but it's an individual choice.

"I don't think that's going to be a plank of the next Tory manifesto." He jokingly distanced himself from the controversial remark, saying: "I don't think she's expressing a party line or anything."

Ms Garraway said viewers were up in arms about Ms Badenoch's attack on sandwiches. She read responses from the public, saying: "Bill says most of us don't get subsidised meals, they can't spend an hour or more for lunch so eating sandwiches is handy on the hoof."

The host went on to say that another viewer, named Debbie, said many are eating sandwiches because they don't need power to cook them. Ms Garraway said: "In fact, lots of viewers have said that they're deciding whether to have a cooked lunch or dinner or have a sandwich and put another load of washing on."