MP for Devizes Danny Kruger has hit back at his conservative colleagues who have condemned business secretary Kemi Badenoch as ‘lazy’ and ‘condescending’.

Unnamed conservative MPs were reported in the Daily Mail on May 14 criticising Ms Badenoch following her proposed amendments to the Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill.

Ms Badenoch last week announced plans to row back on the number of EU laws the government will be scrapping by the end of the year from almost 4,000 to 600.

This drew a lot of fire and personal attacks with one Tory ex-minister describing her as “supercilious, condescending, lofty and disdainful” according to the Daily Mail.

Mr Kruger tweeted on May 14: “I’m one of those urging Kemi to clarify how proposed changes to the REUL Bill will deliver our promise to expunge EU law.

“But I strongly object to today’s unpleasant unprofessional personal briefing by anonymous MPs against a diligent & decent colleague. Not the way to operate.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporter service he added: “I want to see us deliver the promise to scrap EU law, but we should work constructively with government as we all have the same ambition.”