Tory MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform

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Conservative MP Danny Kruger has defected to Reform UK, the first time a sitting Tory has joined the rightwing populist party led by Nigel Farage.

The defection means Reform now has five MPs in parliament and his departure is a big blow to Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, ahead of her party conference next month.

Kruger, MP for East Wiltshire, said at a press conference in London that he was leaving the Tories to become Reform’s head of “Preparing for Government”. 

Other senior Tories have left the party to join Reform including former MPs Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Nadine Dorries. Lee Anderson, a former Tory deputy chair, defected to Reform in March 2024 while an MP but after he had lost the Conservative whip.

Zia Yusuf, a senior Reform figure, said he was “delighted” to welcome Kruger to the party.

This is a developing story