Overview

• Robert Jenrick mistakenly added hundreds of MPs and journalists to a WhatsApp group meant for soliciting donations for SSAFA ahead of his London Marathon run on April 27.
• The group, initially named 'marathon' and later renamed 'V,' was deleted after the error, but not before messages speculating on Jenrick's leadership ambitions circulated.
• Kemi Badenoch, current Conservative Party leader, dismissed the idea of a leadership challenge, emphasizing party unity and her focus on upcoming local elections.
• Labour mocked the incident, suggesting Jenrick views his potential leadership bid as a 'marathon, not a sprint,' while Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf publicly clashed with Jenrick over the mishap.
• Jenrick, who finished second to Badenoch in last year’s Tory leadership race, clarified the group’s purpose was solely to raise funds for veterans' charity SSAFA.