Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has dramatically sacked senior frontbencher Robert Jenrick, accusing him of plotting a secret defection to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The shadow justice secretary had the party whip removed and his membership suspended with immediate effect on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
Clear and Irrefutable Evidence of a Plot
In a swift and decisive move, Ms Badenoch stated she was presented with "clear, irrefutable evidence" that Mr Jenrick was planning to leave the party. She alleged the planned defection was orchestrated "in a way designed to be as damaging as possible" to his shadow cabinet colleagues and the wider Tory party.
A senior Conservative source elaborated, telling the Press Association the evidence was "totally irrefutable." They claimed Mr Jenrick had been meeting with Reform figures, including having dinner with Nigel Farage in December 2025, and that his team had spoken to allies and journalists about a potential switch.
The source added, "Kemi doesn't take decisions lightly... But the evidence was just totally irrefutable that this was going to be done to inflict maximum pain on the party." Tory chief whip Rebecca Harris formally informed Mr Jenrick of his sacking.
Farage Confirms Talks as Jenrick's Denial Unravels
The bombshell announcement came moments before Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was due to hold a press conference in Fife, Scotland, to unveil the party's new Scottish leader. The event was quickly dominated by questions about Mr Jenrick.
Mr Farage expressed surprise at the timing but confirmed he had been in contact with the now former minister. "Of course I've talked to Robert Jenrick," he told reporters. When asked if Mr Jenrick had been considering a move to Reform, Mr Farage said, "I've little doubt it's been in his mind." He added that he planned to call Mr Jenrick on Thursday afternoon.
This directly contradicts Mr Jenrick's public stance from just last month, when he insisted he "wasn't going anywhere" in response to speculation about a defection to Reform.
Fallout and a Warning Against 'Political Psychodrama'
In a statement posted on social media, Kemi Badenoch framed the sacking as a necessary act to restore discipline. "The British public are tired of political psychodrama and so am I," she said. "They saw too much of it in the last government, they're seeing too much of it in THIS government. I will not repeat those mistakes."
The dramatic expulsion exposes the ongoing fragility within the Conservative Party and the persistent threat posed by Reform UK, which continues to attract disillusioned Tory members and voters. It marks a significant moment in Ms Badenoch's leadership, demonstrating a ruthless approach to internal dissent.
The Conservative source suggested the defection was imminent, stating it was "going to be very soon." With Mr Farage pledging to reach out, the political future of Robert Jenrick—and the potential for further Conservative defections—remains the central question in Westminster.
