Kemi Badenoch 'broke Army cadet rules' with assault rifle photo shoot

Kemi Badenoch has been accused of breaking army cadet rules on a visit to a military base in her constituency this afternoon, as she was snapped 'misusing' a firearm. The Tory leader was photographed in a number of poses alongside camouflage-clad-cadets, as well as peeking out of an armoured vehicle.

In one image, she was caught pointing a L85A3 rifle directly at the chest of a member of personnel, as we reported earlier in our live blog. Labour quickly got hold of cadet gun rules, the first of which is "a weapon must never be pointed at anyone in any circumstances." The second rule explains: "A weapon must always be handled so that it points in such a direction that there is no danger if a round is accidentally fired."

According to the official "rules for safe handling of weapons", accidents are generally caused by "faulty or careless handling of weapons and ammunition".

The Labour source quipped: "The reference to "faulty or careless handling" in the guidance probably best describes her tenure as Tory leader."

Asked whether she had complied with weapons-handling rules on her visit, a Tory spokesman replied: "What fun-hating, pettifogging grouch seriously thinks this is worth complaining about?"

Ms Badenoch used the visit to Carver Barracks in her constituency to slap Keir Starmer's handling of the recent welfare cuts row, saying it shows he cannot be trusted to deal with major issues.

"If they can't do reduced increase in spending, how are they going to find the money to pay for defence. I don't see where the 4.1% is coming from."

She added: "If they can't solve minor problems, how can they deal with the big ones."

She went on to call for a return to in-person assessments for disability benefits, saying: "There are a lot of people who should be at work who are just ringing up, who are getting benefits that they are not entitled to."