Overview
- Kemi Badenoch removed Robert Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, took the whip and suspended his membership, citing "clear, irrefutable evidence" he was secretly planning a damaging defection.
- Conservative officials circulated extracts of a draft resignation speech they said showed Jenrick’s intent to switch parties after material was reportedly left by his team.
- Nigel Farage acknowledged talks with Jenrick and said no agreement had been imminent before unveiling him at a Westminster press conference as Reform’s latest recruit.
- On stage, Jenrick said the Conservatives had failed to change, accused both main parties of breaking Britain, and argued Reform offers the radical shift he believes is needed.
- Badenoch named Nick Timothy as shadow justice secretary, as Jenrick’s move added to a run of Tory defections to Reform that recently included former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi.