Samantha Cameron says suggestions Carrie Symonds influences PM’s decisions are ‘sexist’

Samantha Cameron has criticised those who have accused Carrie Symonds of having influenced the prime minister’s decisions due to her political background.

Speaking on Woman’s Hour, the fashion designer was asked to comment on the fact that Mr Johnson’s fiancée was cruelly nicknamed “Princess Nut Nut” last year after the former government special adviser and Conservative Party’s head of media was accused of becoming too involved with the inner workings of No. 10.

“I don’t think she should have that kind of criticism laid at her door,” Ms Cameron said.

"My view is that your husband or partner is the prime minister, they’re quite able to make decisions themselves.

“They have a huge team of advisers and so the idea that as the wife you’re somehow influencing their decisions over and above what they think or what advice they’re getting from their team, I think is kind of demeaning really for the prime minister and I don’t think any partner of the prime minister would ever feel that that’s the sort of position they’re allowed to be in.”

The 49-year-old wife of former prime minister David Cameron continued: “And I think you’re just trying to do your best thrust into a position that you may not have been expecting. And you’re not trained for it, so I think it’s very harsh.”

Woman’s Hour host Emma Barnett asked Ms Cameron if she had any advice for Ms Symonds when it comes to handling the criticism.

“Find your own way,” she replied. “Do the things you feel that you're good at and be as supportive as you can to Boris.”

When asked if she thought the criticisms directed towards Ms Symonds had been sexist, Ms Cameron replied: “I think it is, I think it could happen if you’re a husband or a wife, potentially. But I think it’s very unfair to pick her out as having some kind of undue influence.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Ms Cameron spoke about the art of dressing correctly as the prime minister’s wife.

“When you are on the campaign trail, you are in a bit of a clothing panic all the time as a woman,” she said.

“Your skirt blowing up… big pants are always a good idea just in case […] you have to think all that stuff through.”

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