Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, removed the Tory whip and suspended his party membership. In a video on X she claims she was ‘presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible’. The Tories compiled a bundle of evidence that included a dinner between Jenrick and Nigel Farage last month, and established that he had discussed switching to Reform with at least two allies. It is understood that he left a copy of his defection speech lying around, which included passages criticising Conservative colleagues. Nick Timothy is also understood to be replacing him in his role as shadow justice secretary.
He left a copy of his defection speech lying around
At a live press conference on stage in Scotland, Nigel Farage was asked about whether he was planning to welcome Jenrick on stage. He told journalists that ‘As far as Mr Jenrick is concerned, 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.’ He suggested that Badenoch had ‘panicked’ ahead of a forthcoming afternoon press conference in London. ‘I suspect she’s added up two and two and made five. I can confirm hand on heart honestly look you in the eye, I was not going to be unveiling Robert Jenrick at 4.30 this afternoon.’ A senior Reform source told The Spectator: ‘This is pretty terrible for Kemi’s leadership’ – citing Jenrick’s position at the top of the ConservativeHome shadow cabinet league table.
Badenoch decided to move against Jenrick, rather than meekly wait for him to make a big defection announcement. One Tory admirer in elected office praises the move. ‘Amazing that Kemi has the biggest set of balls of any politician at the moment – could be a real defining moment for her, her ‘Thatcher’ moment.’ As for Jenrick, the now-former shadow justice secretary is yet to make any public comment on the news. But a snap verdict would be that his career in the Conservative party appears to be at an end – at least while Badenoch remains in post at any rate.
Will he follow many of his ex-colleagues in now beating a path to Reform’s door?
Listen to James Heale and Tim Shipman discuss Jenrick’s sacking on Coffee House Shots:
