UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch recently shared a personal memory from her school days. She said she once reported a fellow student for cheating during an exam. At the time, she was about 14 or 15 years old. During the test, she stood up and pointed to the student, saying he was the one cheating.
The student she reported was later expelled from the school. But instead of being praised for her honesty, Badenoch said her classmates were upset with her. Although she was a popular student, many people asked why she would do something like that. She told them she did it because it was the right thing to do.
After the incident, people told her she didn’t belong at the school and didn’t know how to act. Badenoch said this kind of reaction wasn’t new to her. She’s been told similar things throughout her life — that she doesn’t follow the rules, speaks up too often, and tells the truth when others wouldn’t.
She explained that being direct and honest has always been part of her personality. Even if people didn’t like it, she believed in doing what felt right.
Kemi Badenoch was born in the UK but spent much of her childhood in Nigeria and the United States. She moved back to the UK when she was 16.
During the interview with BBC News, Badenoch also opened up about a painful moment in her spiritual life. She said a news story in 2008 made her lose faith in God. The story was about Josef Fritzl, a man in Austria who had imprisoned and abused his daughter for 24 years.
Reading about the case deeply upset her. She remembered how the daughter had prayed every day to be rescued, yet nothing happened. Meanwhile, Badenoch said she used to pray for simple things, like good grades or for the bus to arrive on time — and those prayers were answered. This made her question everything. Why would God ignore the prayers of someone in serious danger but answer hers?
She said this experience felt like someone blew out a candle inside her. It ended her belief in God. However, she explained that she hasn’t completely turned away from Christianity. Even though she no longer believes in God, she still sees herself as a “cultural Christian.” She believes the UK is built on Christian values, and she wants to protect those values.
This story from Kemi Badenoch shows how her early experiences shaped her views on truth, justice, and faith. It also reveals a more personal side of the politician not often seen by the public.
