Earlier comments by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss about workers have embarrassed the favorite in the race to succeed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
In an audio recording published by The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, Truss said British workers lacked "skill and diligence".
"Mentality and attitude" of British workers are partly responsible for the country's relatively low productivity.
There is a fundamental problem with "British working culture," Truss said in the comments, which come from her time as Treasury Secretary between 2017 and 2019.
British workers would have to “work harder”.
"If you go to China, it's quite different, I can guarantee you that."
After the sound recording was published, people close to Truss said the comments were “half a decade old” and that “context” was missing.
But there is no question that Britain needs to improve its productivity.
Truss is currently in a party runoff election against former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak for the leadership of the Conservative Tory Party.
Anyone who takes over from the resigned Johnson will automatically become British Prime Minister.
Polls see Truss clearly ahead of Sunak.
The result of the postal vote among Tory members is expected on September 5.