Nick Timothy, the newly appointed shadow justice secretary, has apologised for past comments after Robert Jenrick defected to Reform UK. Jenrick, sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for plotting against her, joined Nigel Farage's party on Thursday, calling the Tories 'rotten' and 'failed'.
Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, said he had resolved to leave the Conservatives before his sacking. He criticised former colleagues, including shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, for their roles in government failures. 'Both Labour and the Conservatives broke Britain,' he declared.
Farage described the defection as a 'Christmas present', noting that Jenrick had been the 'No 1 Tory' Reform wanted. Jenrick confirmed talks with Reform began in September, facilitated by former Tory adviser Tim Montgomerie. He will not call a byelection in his Newark constituency.
Timothy, who replaced Jenrick, issued an apology for his past writings, stating he regretted any offence caused. The defection deepens the right-wing schism as Badenoch struggles to retain Conservative unity.
