World News
Book claims Kemi Badenoch plotted to oust Rishi Sunak before 2024 election
A biography by Anthony Seldon alleges the former cabinet minister sought to replace Sunak, a claim an ally of Badenoch called 'total bollocks.'
The short version
- A new book by historian Anthony Seldon alleges Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch attempted to coordinate with fellow ministers to remove Rishi Sunak as prime minister in 2023.
- An ally of Badenoch strongly rejected the allegations, labeling them 'total bollocks.'
- The book states Badenoch ultimately declined to launch a challenge due to concerns about being blamed for a general election loss or losing a potential leadership contest.
Key facts
- Historian Anthony Seldon alleges in his book 'Sunak at 10: The Last Conservative PM?' that Kemi Badenoch contacted cabinet ministers in 2023 to gauge interest in replacing Rishi Sunak as prime minister.[The Guardian]
- An ally of Badenoch, who currently serves as Conservative leader, dismissed the book's claims as 'total bollocks.'[The Guardian]
- Former Conservative MP Danny Kruger told Seldon that Badenoch wanted to remove Sunak but feared taking over as a 'fag-end prime minister' ahead of an election.[The Guardian]
- The book claims Badenoch refrained from an open challenge partly out of concern she might lose a subsequent leadership race to Penny Mordaunt.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It remains disputed whether Badenoch actively plotted to remove Sunak, as the book relies on unnamed insiders and political figures while an ally of Badenoch flatly denies the claims.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Badenoch plotted to remove Sunak as PM months before election, book claimsThe Guardian - World