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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Kiran Stacey Policy editor

Tory ‘arsonists’ still in charge of party, says Jenrick as he hits back at Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage, and Robert Jenrick
Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage, and Robert Jenrick. The Tory leader said of Jenrick: ‘You can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.’ Composite: House of Commons/Rex/Shutterstock/Chris Thomond/The Guardian

The “arsonists” who tanked the reputation of the Conservatives are still in charge of the party, Robert Jenrick has said as he and the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, trade blows a day after his dramatic defection to Reform UK.

Giving his first interview since his announcement on Thursday, the former shadow justice secretary said the Conservatives had not changed since the election, while defending himself against allegations of lying from his former party leader.

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