Ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman has slammed Tory leader Kemi Badenoch as “wrong” after claiming the Tories had not apologised for a jibe about her mental health.
Mrs Braverman, who defected earlier this week at a Veterans for Reform rally, also confirmed Nigel Farage’s party had sent a legal letter to Conservative Campaign Headquarters.
Speaking to GB News, the Fareham & Waterlooville MP said: “Kemi is wrong to say that she/party has apologised to me for the statement.”
Mrs Braverman, who had her hen-do organised by Mrs Badenoch, added: “Reform has issued a legal letter to CCHQ.”
Mrs Braverman’s fury came after the Tories released a statement that suggested the Conservative Party “did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy”.
The statement, which was reportedly released in error, was later retracted.
Mrs Badenoch stressed the language used was “completely wrong and not the kind of culture we should have in our party”.
When asked if she regretted the statement, the Tory leader said: “Yes, that has come out from me.
Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK this week
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PA“That should never have gone out. It has been retracted. And I’ve also spoken to the person who sent it.”
However, Mrs Braverman has shot down that assertion.
“Kemi is wrong to say that she/party has apologised to me for the statement,” the former Home Secretary told GB News.
“Reform has issued a legal letter to CCHQ.”
Kemi Badenoch is also adamant she will not do a deal with Reform UK | PA
The row between Mrs Badenoch and Mrs Braverman came just days after ex-Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick launched a furious attack against his former Conservative colleagues.
After Mrs Braverman accused him of lying, Mr Jenrick shared messages from Chief Whip Rebecca Harris appearing to call him a “blood sucker”.
The messages were supposedly sent from Mr Jenrick’s former colleagues as feedback.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is predicting more defections from the Tory Party ahead of his May 7 deadline.
Rael Braverman, Suella Braverman and Nigel Farage | RAEL BRAVERMAN
Mr Farage has already welcomed four sitting MPs into Reform’s ranks since the 2024 General Election, with Danny Kruger and Andrew Rosindell joining Mr Jenrick and Mrs Braverman.
However, the Reform UK leader condemned the Tory Party’s attack against Mrs Braverman during a press conference this week.
He said: “Their reaction to Suella’s defection has been pretty abusive.
“Don’t please ask any questions about that. We will not lower ourselves to their level.”
Kemi Badenoch made her pitch to Tory members in October 2024
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GB NEWSMrs Badenoch has also dismissed fears of a defection deluge to Reform UK.
She said: “To those who are defecting, who don’t actually disagree with our policies, I will say I’m sorry you didn’t win the leadership contest.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get a job in the shadow cabinet. I’m sorry you didn’t get into the Lords, but you are not offering a plan to fix this country. This is a tantrum dressed up as politics.”
GB News has approached the Conservative Party for comment.