In an interview with The Sunday Times, Kemi Badenoch has opened up about the racism and cyberbullying she has faced since becoming the first Black woman to lead the UK’s Conservative Party.

Badenoch stated that she was surprised by the level of hostility, especially after having previously described Britain as “the best place in the world to be black.”

She said, “There’s a certain cadre of people who clearly can’t cope with the fact that I won this and I’m doing it. The level of personal attacks from anonymous people, it’s hysterical. Not even just from MPs. I actually don’t think it’s that many MPs. I think it’s two to three people out of 120. That’s nothing. But online as well. People used to talk about Trump derangement syndrome. I think there’s a Kemi derangement syndrome: ‘How could she possibly have done this?’”

Badenoch added that social media has amplified “ethno-nationalism,” with critics questioning her achievements and spreading claims that she could not have succeeded without outside help. She has previously stated that she no longer identifies as Nigerian and has been outspoken against anti-racism activism and critical race theory.

“I always try to think of every possible explanation before I go to race and racism. I think that is a healthy way to run a society. I remember when I stood up a few years ago and said Britain is not a racist country—ethnic minorities do very well here, it is white working-class boys who are actually struggling on a lot of metrics, and I got pilloried for that. My view is that there are people out there who will say whatever it is, they will throw whatever kind of mud at you and they will hope that it sticks,” she said.

Badenoch now faces a critical test as she prepares for her first party conference speech amid speculation that shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick could challenge her leadership. On talk of being replaced, she responded: “I think it’s wishful thinking. There will always be people who are sore losers, our candidate didn’t win, and so on, and sour grapes… When I hear those things, I can tell those people are not focused on the country at all. Many of those people having those conversations think this is a game. But the lives of people in this country aren’t a game.”