Sacked Jenrick defects to Reform and attacks Tories

Whip was withdrawn from ex-frontbencher after evidence of 'his intention to stab his Conservative colleagues in the back'

- MILLIE COOKE DAVID MADDOX KATE DEVLIN

Robert Jenrick has defected to Reform UK after he was dramatically sacked from the Conservative front bench and kicked out of the Tory party.

Launching an extraordinary attack on his former colleagues at a press conference in Westminster, the former shadow justice secretary said the party had "betrayed its voters and members" and was "in denial - or being dishonest" about its record.

He said he was joining Reform UK because the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch had failed to change after their 2024 election wipeout, arguing that the country now needs Nigel Farage.

"I can't kid myself any more, he said, adding: "I can't in good conscience stick with a party that's failed so badly, that isn't sorry and hasn't changed, that I know in my heart won't - can't - deliver what's needed."

In a dramatic day in politics:

• Mr Jenrick hit out at rising migration, the backlog in the courts, "overflowing" prisons and the small size of the army as he confirmed his move to Reform

• He claimed that Britain will "slip beyond the point of repair" if we don't get the next government right

• Mr Farage accused Ms Badenoch of having "jumped the gun" by sacking Mr Jenrick, but thanked him for delivering him to Reform "on a plate"

• Sir Keir Starmer said there has been a "flood" of ex-Tories "going across to Reform because they know that the Tory party is a sinking ship"

Mr Jenrick was welcomed at the London press conference by the Reform leader, who described the former shadow justice secretary's defection as "a very big moment".