Jenrick has long been linked with Reform switchpublished at 11:23 GMT
Kemi Badenoch says she was “presented with clear, irrefutable evidence” that Robert Jenrick was planning to defect.
The statement does not mention the party that Jenrick was planning on defecting to – but the MP has long been linked with a switch to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Jenrick served in every Conservative government since Theresa May in a number of roles, including housing secretary and immigration minister.
He stood in the party’s 2024 leadership election against Badenoch, which he lost after securing 43.5% of the votes to Badenoch’s 56.5%.
In recent months he has grown his social media following with a number of high-profile videos – including tackling alleged rail fare evaders, and confronting people allegedly selling stolen tools at car boot sales.
