UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a scathing rebuke to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, dismissing her claim that he had acted on her advice to cut the aid budget. Starmer also took aim at her political persona, labeling her a “self-appointed saviour of Western civilisation” in a remark that seemed to underscore her divisive rhetoric and recent controversial comments about Nigeria, the country of her origin.

Badenoch, who has faced criticism in the past for her harsh remarks about Nigeria—where her parents came from—suggested during the session that Starmer had heeded her recommendation to reduce aid spending. She also questioned inconsistencies in the government’s defence budget figures.

“Over the weekend, I suggested to the prime minister that he cut the aid budget, and I am pleased that he accepted my advice. It’s the fastest response I’ve ever had from the prime minister,” Badenoch said. She added, “However, he announced £13.4 billion of additional defence spending yesterday. This morning, his defence secretary said the uplift is only £6bn. Which is the correct figure?”

Starmer, however, flatly denied being influenced by Badenoch’s suggestion and responded with biting sarcasm. “I’m going to have to let the leader of the opposition down gently. She didn’t feature in my thinking at all. I was so busy over the weekend I didn’t even see her proposal,” he said.

The prime minister then escalated his criticism, quipping, “She’s appointed herself, I think, the saviour of Western civilisation. It’s a desperate search for relevance.” He continued, “If you take the numbers for this financial year, and then the numbers for financial year 27/28, that’s a £13.4bn increase—the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.”

Starmer’s remarks drew laughter from MPs in the House of Commons, but they also highlighted the ongoing tension surrounding Badenoch’s political style and her past comments. Last year, Badenoch faced backlash for describing Nigeria as a “hopeless” and “corrupt” country during a public event, remarks that many found offensive given her Nigerian heritage. Critics accused her of using such rhetoric to distance herself from her roots while positioning herself as a staunch defender of Western values.

As Badenoch continues to position herself as a leading voice in the Conservative Party, her controversial statements and self-styled role as a guardian of Western ideals have drawn both support and criticism. Starmer’s jab at her “desperate search for relevance” underscores the polarizing nature of her political persona, particularly in light of her contentious remarks about Nigeria and her attempts to shape her image as a defender of Western civilisation.