Conservative Crisis: Split and Defections Shake UK Politics

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has dismissed shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick over plans to defect to Reform UK. Jenrick, now an Independent MP, was accused of disloyalty amid ongoing political turmoil. Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Badenoch’s leadership amid the defections to Nigel Farage's far-right party.

The UK Conservative Party was jolted by a political upheaval today as its leader, Kemi Badenoch, sacked shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick. Badenoch cited 'irrefutable evidence' of Jenrick's plans to defect to the far-right party, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage.

Following the removal of his Conservative whip, Jenrick, who previously served under ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, returns to Parliament as an Independent MP. This move adds to the turmoil as Nadhim Zahawi, another former Tory minister, recently defected to Reform UK.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer critiqued Badenoch for allowing the defections to happen, describing her leadership as weak and unable to curb the exodus of Tory politicians. Farage denied any formal defection deals but admitted conversations with several Tory MPs about switching parties.

(With inputs from agencies.)