Kemi Badenoch today set out to prove that she means business when it comes to clearing out the Tory has-beens and wets. The Conservative leader announced that, following a leave of absence from the House of Lords, wetter-in-chief Gavin Barwell will not have the whip restored.

The former chief of staff to Theresa May sparked fury after repeatedly accusing Badenoch of turning her party into a ‘Reform tribute act’. Barwell also goaded the Tory leader over what he called her ‘poor strategic judgment’, particularly her rejection of net zero and pledge to leave the ECHR.

In a letter to the former housing minister this evening, first revealed by the Mail, Badenoch........

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