Badenoch: Defectors won't distract me

TORY leader Kemi Badenoch vows defectors won't distract her from rebuilding the ailing party. On Thursday, former defence minister Sarah Atherton became the 18th Tory to join Reform UK. It is a new blow to Badenoch before the party conference in Manchester, where the faithful will gather from tomorrow amid dismal poll ratings.

- BY LIZZY BUCHAN

Badenoch said Farage was likely to try “a stunt or two” during the conference but sought to downplay the defections.