Badenoch warns Tory MPs about people trying to ‘undermine party from within’

Conservative leader says staffers are briefing against party, in lengthy letter after Robert Jenrick’s switch to Reform

Robert Jenrick’s defection does not mean the Conservatives are moving towards the centre ground, Kemi Badenoch has told her MPs in a letter that warned about people seeking to “undermine the party from within”.

In a lengthy message to the MPs, seen by the Guardian, Badenoch said the party must avoid “psychodrama”, “intrigue” and damaging splits, saying a small number of Tory staffers were briefing against the party while claiming to be Conservative sources.