Kemi Badenoch supporters claim 'dirty tricks' will knock her out of Tory leadership race

Five MPs are still in the running to replace Rishi Sunak as the Conservative leader

19:26, Sat, Sep 7, 2024 | UPDATED: 19:28, Sat, Sep 7, 2024

Kemi Badenoch Launches Bid To Be Next Conservative Party Leader

Kemi Badenoch is one of the favourites to be next Conservative leader (Image: Getty)

Supporters of Kemi Badenoch's bid to lead the Conservative Party have alleged 'dirty tricks' have been deployed in a bid to knock her out of the campaign early.

Five Tories are still in the running to replace former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the party leader, with former Home Secretary Priti Patel eliminated on Wednesday.

However Kemi Badenoch, the former Business Secretary considered a favourite to win the race, came second in Wednesday's vote - behind Robert Jenrick.

The result, which saw Mrs Badenoch receive 22 votes from Tory MPs compared to 28 to Mr Jenrick - just one vote ahead of former Home Secretary James Cleverly.

Some of her supporters now believe tactical voting was in play in a bid to boost support for Mr Cleverly in a bit to prevent her ending up in the final two as they see her as the biggest threat to Mr Jenrick.

Robert Jenrick Launches His Bid To Be The Next Conservative Party Leader

Robert Jenrick won the first round of the Tory leadership race (Image: Getty)

Speaking to the Times, a Badenoch ally said: "It feels like dirty tricks by the Jenrick campaign to 'lend' Cleverly supporters so he gets momentum and knocks Kemi out of the final two.

"What we're telling MPs is that if they don't want Jenrick to win, the only person who can beat him among the members is Kemi."

Supporters of Mr Jenrick have slammed the suggestions as 'desperate'.

Speaking after the results, Mrs Badenoch, now the shadow communties secretary, claimed the result of the first round of voting showed there was 'huge support' for her campaign.

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James Cleverly Launches His Campaign To Become Leader Of The Conservative Party

James Cleverly came third in the first round (Image: Getty)

She added: “It’s time to deal with hard truths today, rather than big problems tomorrow.

“I look forward to making the case for renewal around the country, with colleagues and members.”

Also in the running for the leadership are former DWP Secretary Mel Stride and Tom Tugendhat.

Another round of voting will take place next week before the final four take their campaigns to the Tory conference in Birmingham starting on September 29.

After that, MPs will carry out further rounds of voting to select two final candidates for the party’s grassroots to choose between, with the result of the members’ ballot announced on November 2.