Badenoch and Jenrick urged to settle differences and end lingering rivalry

Senior Conservatives have urged Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick to rapidly settle any differences after the unveiling of the full shadow cabinet was marred by briefings and concern over lingering rivalries.

- Peter Walker, Jessica Elgot, Pippa Crerar

Badenoch, who became leader after defeating Jenrick in a vote of Tory members, held her first shadow cabinet meeting yesterday, having named a team including three rival candidates, Jenrick among them, and a series of party centrists. However, some MPs were alarmed at the slightly shaky start to the appointments process, when Jenrick's role as justice secretary was leaked on Monday evening, along with suggestions that he had sought a more senior job.

Nigel Huddlestone, one of two party co-chairs named by Badenoch, in effect confirmed that the initial news about Jenrick's job had not come from the new leader's office, telling GB News yesterday morning that they were "jumping the gun" in assuming it was confirmed.

One former cabinet minister said they were worried that Badenoch and Jenrick, who exchanged increasingly personal barbs as the contest went on, might struggle to come together as a team. "It wasn't the ideal start, the briefings about his job," they said. "I hope they can sort it out very quickly, because the last thing we need is any more drama. And I'm sure many colleagues feel the same way."