Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet and suspended his party membership, citing “irrefutable evidence” that he was planning to defect to Reform UK. The shadow justice secretary, who was Badenoch’s leadership rival, had long been suspected of negotiating with Nigel Farage’s party.
Badenoch said in a statement: “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.” She added: “The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I.”
Westminster sources said Badenoch had been monitoring Jenrick’s activities for some time, with concerns confirmed by the indiscreet actions of his unofficial aides, known internally as the “grid of shit” plotters. Parts of a potential resignation speech, which included “vicious” criticism of senior Tories, were reportedly left unattended, prompting fears of an imminent defection.
Nigel Farage, due to give a press conference on Thursday, denied that Jenrick’s defection was imminent, saying: “I can confirm – hand on heart – I was not going to be unveiling Robert Jenrick at 4.30 this afternoon.” However, he admitted having had conversations with Jenrick, adding that Reform members would not want to import “Tory infighting”.
Jenrick, a former immigration minister with a large social media following, would be the most high-profile defection to Reform if he joins. Badenoch declined to speak to him directly, leaving his sacking to chief whip Rebecca Harris.
