Robert Jenrick Sacked by Kemi Badenoch Over Alleged Defection Plot

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has sacked Robert Jenrick from the Shadow Cabinet and suspended his party membership, citing what she described as “clear, irrefutable evidence” that he was planning to defect.

Mr Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, has also had the Conservative whip removed with immediate effect. He previously lost the Conservative leadership contest to Ms Badenoch in 2024.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Ms Badenoch said the decision followed evidence that Mr Jenrick was secretly plotting a move that would have caused maximum damage to both his Shadow Cabinet colleagues and the wider Conservative Party.

“The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I,” she said. “They saw too much of it in the last government and they’re seeing too much of it in this government. I will not repeat those mistakes.”

Mr Jenrick has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

Growing Party Tensions

Relations between Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick have been strained since the Conservative leadership contest, in which party members backed Ms Badenoch.

In recent months, Mr Jenrick had been widely linked with a possible move to Reform UK, although no formal announcement had been made.

The move marks one of the most dramatic internal disciplinary actions taken by the Conservative leadership since the party entered opposition, highlighting ongoing tensions as it seeks to rebuild support.

This is a developing story.