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Robert Jenrick has suggested he would consider giving Boris Johnson a job if he becomes the next leader of the Tory party, saying: “Let’s get the Conservative family back together”.
When asked what job he would give the former prime minister during a Q&A at the annual Tory conference, he joked: “I haven’t read his book yet so I want to wait and see what he’s said about me before answering that question.”
It comes after he attracted criticism from his own colleagues for doubling down on a claim that UK special forces are “killing rather than capturing terrorists”.
The frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak defended his assertion that the military is taking lethal action because of fears that European laws would free any detained assailants as “absolutely correct”.
Asked on Tuesday whether he could back up the claim, he insisted he could not “elaborate on particular cases”.
Leadership rival Tom Tugendhat said he was “extremely concerned” at Mr Jenrick’s remarks.
Former foreign secretary and fellow contender James Cleverly urged him to justify his statement.
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
Key Points
- Jenrick suggests he would consider giving Boris Johnson a job if he becomes Tory leader
- Cleverly and Jenrick face Tory members on penultimate conference day
- Jenrick doubles down as Tory leadership rivals criticise special forces claim
- James Cleverly says he supports Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon
- Civil service chief Simon Case to stand down at end of year on health grounds
Exclusive: Rishi Sunak draws inspiration from Blair as he plans to stay involved in UK politics with his own team
Read the full report from our political editor David Maddox:
Sunak will not move to California as he plans Blair-style role in British politics
Exclusive: Friends of Rishi Sunak have revealed he will not be quitting politics to move to California but plans to stay involved with British politics
Jabed Ahmed2 October 2024 02:30 1727829000Watch: Tom Tugendhat giving out the Tugend-hat at Tory party conference
Government must put right injustice of colleges having no VAT relief – leaders
The Government should put right the “injustices” of colleges having to pay VAT to ensure further education students no longer have fewer resources, sector leaders have urged.
Plans to remove the VAT exemption for private schools shows it is “possible” to make changes to the rules, according to a letter to the Chancellor from the Association of Colleges (AoC).
It said colleges spend an estimated £210 million a year on VAT – 3% of income – that they cannot reclaim, which is “a tax” on further education (FE) students.
“The result is that college students have fewer resources spent on them than their peers in schools,” leaders have said.
The letter to Rachel Reeves, signed by around 172 college leaders, has called for the autumn budget to offer colleges the VAT reimbursement that state schools and academies benefit from.
It said: “The imminent extension of VAT to independent schools offers the perfect opportunity to put right the injustice of colleges having no VAT relief despite their strong social inclusion and public service roles.”
Jabed Ahmed2 October 2024 00:30 1727821818Tugendhat says Jenrick knows ‘nothing’ about sensitive military matters amid SAS comments
Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat has suggested his rival Robert Jenrick knows “nothing about” sensitive military matters.
Mr Tugendhat was asked about the Newark MP’s claims that British special forces had killed terrorists rather than capture them for fear human rights law would free detainees.
He told a Conservative conference fringe event: “It is an extremely serious allegation and without very specific examples it would be – I think – it would be irresponsible to do that.
“I have heard somebody say that we couldn’t have conducted an operation like that against Osama bin Laden, that is simply not true. It is just simply not true.”
Mr Tugendhat, a former security minister, added: “If you present a legitimate military threat to the United Kingdom, then we have under the laws of armed conflict today a legal ability and in fact a military capability to conduct operations to keep the British people safe.
“I am afraid that is simply a fact, and if you don’t know it please don’t comment on military matters you know nothing about.”
Jabed Ahmed1 October 2024 23:30 1727818278Starmer heads to Brussels seeking post-Brexit improvement in EU relations
Sir Keir Starmer heads to Brussels on Wednesday promising to “put the Brexit years behind us” as he seeks a closer relationship with the European Union.
The Prime Minister will push for a better trading relationship and greater co-operation on defence and security measures.
But he is under pressure to agree to Brussels’ calls for a deal on youth mobility to allow young EU citizens greater freedom to come to the UK to study and work and vice versa, something Sir Keir has so far resisted.
The Prime Minister will hold separate meetings with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council chief Charles Michel and the European Parliament’s Roberta Metsola during his visit to Brussels.
Jabed Ahmed1 October 2024 22:31 1727815071Young director of Tory think tank explains why she backs Kemi Badenoch for leader
UK universities urge government to restart EU student exchange programmes
UK universities urge government to restart EU student exchange programmes
It comes as Sir Keir prepares for his first bilateral meeting with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen
Jabed Ahmed1 October 2024 21:30 1727812645Former Tory deputy leader Michael Ancram passes away
Michael Ancram, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party, has died at the age of 79, his family said.
A family statement said the 13th Marquess of Lothian, as he was formally known, died in hospital in the early hours of October 1 after a short illness.
He was surrounded by close family.
Holly Evans1 October 2024 20:57 1727811018Shapps launches Conservatives Together group
The Tories ignored TikTok and failed to attract young people, Grant Shapps said as he launched Conservatives Together, a group that aims to pick the party back up after a record electoral defeat.
The former defence secretary, who lost his own seat in July, told a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference that the organisation was an independent group of MPs, former MPs, candidates and former candidates.
Mr Shapps said it was “definitely not a think tank” and will not be allied to a particular leadership campaign or candidate.
“We are thinking about: ‘How do we support conservatives at every level of the party who are involved in the party to campaign more effectively?’” he said.
Mr Shapps and Lord Kempsell both brushed off comparisons to Labour Together, a Labour think tank aligned with Sir Keir Starmer and now headed up by former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth.
Conservatives Together presented findings from interviews with 62 defeated parliamentary candidates and Tory MPs.
Jabed Ahmed1 October 2024 20:30 1727809337Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to Netanyahu and King of Jordan
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, and they discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East.
“The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack on Israel today in the strongest terms, which began during the leaders’ conversation, and expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.
“During the call, the Prime Minister also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.
“The Prime Minister also raised the situation in Gaza and the importance of a ceasefire and action to bring home the hostages.
Sir Keir Starmer had also spoken to King Abdullah of Jordan about the “urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza”.
“The Prime Minister spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan earlier this afternoon from Downing Street,” the spokesperson said.
“The leaders began by underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. They both called for de-escalation to prevent the extreme humanitarian situation from worsening.
“The Prime Minister said he will work alongside partners and do everything possible to push for de-escalation and push for a diplomatic solution.
“The leaders agreed to stay in touch.”
Holly Evans1 October 2024 20:02 Newer1 / 8OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
