Shadow justice secretary sacked by Tory leader over “irrefutable evidence he was plotting in secret to defect”
Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick over “irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect”. The Tory leader claimed the now former shadow justice secretary was planning to leave the party “in a way designed to be as damaging as possible”, but did not specify to which party.
She wrote on X: “I have sacked Robert Jenrick from the Shadow Cabinet, removed the whip and suspended his party membership with immediate effect. 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. They saw too much of it in the last government, they’re seeing too much of it in this Government. I will not repeat those mistakes.”
A Tory source added that there was “totally irrefutable” evidence that Mr Jenrick was planning to switch to Reform UK.
Mr Jenrick, who was Mrs Badenoch’s leadership rival, had been at the centre of speculation following a series of Conservative defections to Nigel Farage‘s party.
Reacting to Mrs Badenoch’s announcement as he gave a press conference in Edinburgh to announce former Tory peer Malcom Offord as Reform’s new Scottish leader, the Reform leader said: “I’m very surprised that this news is broken.”
Asked if he had been speaking to Mr Jenrick, Mr Farage added: “I never reveal private conversations of anybody, which is why when people like Malcolm came to me to talk, and he was a frontbencher, nothing ever leaked.
“I’m going to say that I’ve had conversations with a number of very senior Conservatives over the course of the last week, over the course of the last month.”
Pressed again about whether he had spoken to the now ex-shadow justice secretary, Mr Farage said: “Of course I’ve talked to Robert Jenrick. Was I on the verge of signing a document with him? No. But have we had conversations? Yes.”
Mr Farage was asked again if Mr Jenrick had been considering leaving the Tories for Reform, and said: “I think virtually every Conservative is considering leaving the Conservatives, yes.”
Asked if this included Mr Jenrick, he replied: “I think that’s been in his mind, yes. I’ve little doubt it’s been in his mind.”
Mr Farage added: “I’ll give him a ring this afternoon. I might even buy him a pint.”
