The Conservative Party has published what it describes as 'irrefutable evidence' that Robert Jenrick was planning to defect to Reform UK, hours after he was sacked by party leader Kemi Badenoch. The Tories claim the documents show Mr Jenrick had been secretly plotting a defection designed to be 'as damaging as possible' to his former colleagues.
In a chaotic press conference later on Thursday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced that Mr Jenrick had joined his party, revealing that discussions had been ongoing 'for weeks'. The announcement came shortly after Ms Badenoch dismissed Mr Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, citing the discovered evidence.
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: 'We have taken the decision to release extracts of the evidence we have been passed of Robert Jenrick's planned defection. We are in no doubt whatsoever about Jenrick's involvement in the drafting of these words and his intention to stab his Conservative colleagues in the back.'
The released extract includes a draft letter purportedly written by Mr Jenrick, in which he states: 'The Tories and Labour have forfeited the right to govern the United Kingdom. And the mantle now passes to Reform.' The letter praises Mr Farage as 'obviously the right person to lead the movement' and declares: 'Today, I am proud to become Reform's 281,000th member.'
The document also criticises both main parties, claiming Britain is 'broken' and 'in major decline', and calls on others to join Reform. The Conservatives have not disclosed how they obtained the letter, but said it was left by a member of Mr Jenrick's team and reported back to Ms Badenoch.
