Tory DWP leader reprimanded by No10 for calling for cuts in maternity rights

Mel Stride bizarrely claimed he never said 'cutting maternity rights would be good for business' - despite his comments of 2012 that 'easing sheltered employment laws' could be a 'massive punch in the arm for UK business'

New Conservative welfare chief Mel Stride (

Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The new Conservative welfare chief has been reprimanded by Downing Street for his call to cut maternity rights for women.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has faced a humiliating slap in the face after the Mirror revealed he complained the rules on parental leave were too 'onerous'.

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The senior Tory has previously called on the government to 'seriously consider' how parents' rights to take leave after having a baby could be overturned.

When asked if Rishi Sunak agreed with Mr Stride that maternity rights should be reduced, the Prime Minister's spokesman replied: "No".

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He added: 'Clearly the UK has one of the most generous maternity leaves in the world to support working parents.'

In the Commons, Mr Stride was slammed by angry MPs over his remarks, but bizarrely claimed he never made them.

He made remarks in 2012 about maternity leave (stock photo) (

Picture:

Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Labour's Mike Amesbury asked if he "still agreed with her statement that cutting maternity rights would be good for business?"

Mr. Stride replied, "Since I never made that statement, I disagree."

Writing on the Conservative Home website in September 2012, Mr Stride claimed that women's right to take up to a year of maternity leave when they have a baby can have a "profound" impact, especially on small businesses.

“There have been… notable examples of countries re-entering this field in recent years,” he added.

"If we want to provide a massive plan...