The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has dramatically sacked Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick after what she described as “irrefutable evidence” surfaced of him plotting to defect to Reform UK.
In a shock statement, is reverberating across Westminster, Badenoch announced Jenrick has been expelled from the Shadow Cabinet, had the Tory whip withdrawn, and has been suspended from the party altogether. She said, “The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I… I will not repeat those mistakes.”
The alleged plot came to light after aides found a draft resignation speech and a detailed media plan left unattended, said to reveal Jenrick’s apparent intentions to cross the floor. According to reports, Tory Chief Whip Rebecca Harris confronted Jenrick, but he protested his innocence.
Reform leader, Nigel Farage, was questioned by reporters during a visit to Scotland. Farage denied plans for an imminent press conference to welcome Jenrick but admitted to holding talks with the former minister: “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.”
Jenrick, who lost to Badenoch in the Conservative leadership contest in late 2024, has long been the subject of speculation about his loyalty, not helped by several meetings with senior Reform figures—including dinner last month with Farage. As one of his former Conservative colleagues told parliamentnews.co.uk “Robert and his people are always on manoeuvres and this led to many of us questioning his loyalty to the Party”. The parliamentarian added, “But the timing of this is shocking. Most expected he would attempt a putsch against Kemi following the local elections in May if we did badly, but planning to defect to Reform is just crazy”.
Reform UK has already made headlines this week by recruiting former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi from the Conservatives, along with more than a dozen councillors, increasing tension on the Tory benches. Some within Reform, however, have cast doubt on whether Jenrick would have been welcomed with open arms.
Supporters rallied around Badenoch after the bold move, with senior Conservative figures saying it was necessary to steady the party ahead of the general election. Former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said the leader was entitled to act where there is clear evidence of plotting.
Badenoch’s intervention comes at a time when the Conservative Party had started to slowly rise in the polls, although they very modestly and they were still behind Reform UK. These defections and internal dissent threaten to derail this improvement in the Party’s position with the beneficiary likely to be Nigel Farage.
Breaking: Kemi Badenoch Sacks Robert Jenrick Over Defection Plot
