Double amputee marathon runner criticises Badenoch for ‘weaponising his success’

Paralympian Richard Whitehead ‘gobsmacked’ at Tory leader’s speech over proposed £36bn welfare cuts

The double amputee marathon runner Richard Whitehead has criticised Kemi Badenoch for “weaponising his sporting success” to justify her proposed £36bn welfare cuts.

In a speech this week, the Conservative party leader used the example of “double amputees running marathons” to explain the reasoning behind her proposed cuts to disability benefits, which she said were enabling people to “live a life of dependency”.

Whitehead said he was surprised at her comments and angry that his achievements were being used as part of a campaign to take money “from the most vulnerable that actually need it”.