Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet for “plotting to defect”.
The Tory leader said she was presented with “clear, irrefutable evidence” that Jenrick was “plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible” to the Conservative Party.
In a video on X Kemi Badenoch said: “I was presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible to his shadow cabinet colleagues and the wider Conservative Party.
“The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I.”
A senior Tory source tells ConHome that Badenoch was shown “incontrovertible evidence” that Jenrick was about to defect including a “full speech and media plan”.
The source added: “We have known for a while and 100 per cent sure last night he [Jenrick] was poised to defect.”
Jenrick has had the Tory whip removed and his party membership suspended. The Chief Whip has removed the Newark MP from the Tory MP WhatsApp group after speaking to him this morning.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a press conference in Scotland said it sounds like Badenoch has “panicked” and “added two and two and made five”.
He said: “I can confirm, hand on heart, honestly, look you in the eye, I was not going to be unveiling Robert Jenrick at 4.30pm this afternoon.”
Farage revealed he has “absolutely” spoken to Jenrick on what “the future might look like” but has not signed a deal with him.