Robert Jenrick: The Tory big-hitter ejected from party he wanted to lead
The former minister is looking for a new political home after being sacked by Kemi Badenoch.
www.bbc.comHere’s the latest I can provide based on recent reporting:
- Robert Jenrick was reportedly sacked from the Conservative shadow cabinet by party leader Kemi Badenoch in January 2026 over allegations he was plotting to defect to Reform UK. This is covered by multiple outlets, including ITV News and BBC coverage from mid-January 2026.[1][4]
- Subsequent reporting indicated Jenrick publicly joined Reform UK, with Nigel Farage introducing him at a Reform UK event shortly after the sacking.[3][4][1]
- Coverage from Sky News and STV at the time emphasized Badenoch’s claim of “irrefutable evidence” of a planned defection and Jenrick’s move to Reform UK in the wake of that decision.[2][3]
- For broader context, Jenrick has been a prominent Conservative figure, previously serving in government roles and as a high-profile member of the party.[6][7]
If you want, I can pull the full articles or summarize the key statements from each source with dates and quotes. Would you like a brief, source-linked digest or a timeline of events?
Citations:
- ITV News report on Jenrick sacking and defection.[1]
- Sky News coverage of the sacking and statements.[2]
- STV coverage of Badenoch’s decision and defection context.[3]
- BBC article confirming Jenrick’s move to Reform UK.[4]
- Background on Jenrick’s career and profile.[7][6]