The London-based publication, The Times, has released audio of an interview between one of its journalists and Tory leadership hopeful Andrea Leadsom.

The British Energy Minister has been accused of suggested that being a mother makes her a better choice to be the next British prime minister than rival Theresa May.

Mrs Leadsom told the newspaper she was sure the British Home Secretary must be "really sad" not to have children as she suggested that her motherhood status meant she had more invested in the future than her leadership rival.

She's been heavily criticised for the remarks made during the interview as Mrs May and her husband can't have children.

"Genuinely I feel that being a mum means you have a very real stake in the future of our country," Mrs Leadsom said. 

"[Theresa May] possibly has nieces and nephews, lots of people but, I have children who are going to have children who will directly be a part of what happens next."

Responding to the publication of the interview, which is on the front page of the newspaper's Saturday's edition, Mrs Leadsom said the way her words had been construed was "beyond disgusting".

Tomorrow's front page: Being a mother gives me edge on May - Leadsom pic.twitter.com/0fPOgmMNox

— The Times of London (@thetimes) July 8, 2016

"Truly appalling and the exact opposition of what I said. I am disgusted," tweeted the mother-of-three.

In tweets to The Times, she added: "This is despicable and hateful reporting. You must now provide the transcript - this is beyond disgusting.

"This is the worst gutter journalism I've ever seen. I am so angry - I can't believe this. How could you?"

In response, Emma Tucker, deputy editor at The Times, tweeted a copy of the interview transcript, in which the journalist asks Mrs Leadsom: "During the debates, you repeatedly said: 'as a mum'. Do you feel like a mum in politics?"

Transcript from the key part of the interview with Andrea Leadsom this morning in @thetimes pic.twitter.com/aFtIECBIiC

— Emma Tucker (@emmatimes2) July 8, 2016

The interview comes just days after the Home Secretary spoke for the first time about the sadness she and her husband Phillip felt when they discovered they couldn't have children.

Theresa May responded to the comments in a tweet this morning, urged Mrs Leadsom to back her "clean campaign pledge".

Yesterday, I launched my clean campaign pledge, and invite @AndreaLeadsom to join me in signing it -TM pic.twitter.com/jaC3hP34N4

— Theresa May (@TheresaMay2016) July 9, 2016

Additional reporting by IRN