Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet and suspended his party membership, citing “irrefutable evidence” that he was plotting to defect to Reform UK. The shadow justice secretary, who was Badenoch’s leadership rival, had long been suspected of planning a move to Nigel Farage’s party.
Badenoch did not name Reform in her statement but sources confirmed the defection target. Westminster sources said Tory whips had been monitoring Jenrick’s activities after parts of a potential resignation speech were left unattended, containing “vicious” criticism of colleagues Mel Stride, James Cartlidge and Priti Patel. Farage denied the defection was imminent, though he acknowledged having conversations with Jenrick.
“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,” Badenoch said. She added: “The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I.”
Farage suggested Badenoch had “panicked”, claiming she had “added up two and two and made five”. He said he would speak to Jenrick later on Thursday but warned that Tory infighting would not be welcome in Reform. One shadow cabinet minister noted Jenrick’s frustration as Badenoch’s popularity grew after the party conference, saying: “Sad, but we all know why he was going to go – no vacancy at the top of the Tories.”
