Kemi Badenoch has laughed off Robert Jenrick’s WhatsApp mix-up after he appeared to accidentally add hundreds of contacts to a group chat before swiftly removing people.
The chat, which included MPs and journalists, was initially called “Marathon” but then changed to “V”.
Labour has seized on the incident, suggesting the shadow justice secretary was canvassing opinion on the future of the party, given he was runner-up to Ms Badenoch in last year’s Tory leadership contest.
Ms Badenoch brushed off the mishap, suggesting the group was intended to promote Mr Jenrick running the London Marathon next weekend.
Asked if she had been added to the WhatsApp group, she told reporters during a local election visit to Cambridgeshire: “Yes, and then no, I think is the correct answer to that.
“I think he’s running a marathon. That’s what I’ve been told.
“I don’t really understand yet what happened with the WhatsApp group, but it’s not the first time this week that loads of journalists and politicians have been added to a WhatsApp group. Seems to be the trend these days.”
Last month, a US reporter was accidentally included in a group chat where senior Trump officials discussed conducting airstrikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
Pressed whether she thought Mr Jenrick was a threat to her leadership, Ms Badenoch said: “I have a great team, and I’m leading a team that is uniting the Conservative Party.
“What we’re really focused on now is ensuring that people understand that voting Conservative at the local elections is the only credible option.
“Look at Birmingham, where rubbish is piled high on the streets, rats running around. I’m really worried about what will happen if loads of councils are no longer Conservative-run.”
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The local elections will take place on 1 May in 23 of England’s 317 local authorities.
They are the first big test for each of the main parties since Labour’s general election victory in July.
The Conservatives are defending more than half of the seats up for election, having won them in 2021 thanks in part to COVID vaccine polling bounce.
Ms Badenoch has previously admitted they will be challenging as her party continues to struggle in the polls, and suggested local Tories might have to partner with Reform councillors if they don’t win a majority.
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Labour seized on the WhatsApp gaffe, saying it shows Mr Jenrick wants to run as leader.
A spokesperson said: “He’s running. Clearly Robert Jenrick views his leadership bid as a marathon and not a sprint.
“How long will Kemi Badenoch sit on her hands as her political rival clearly attempts to undermine her place as leader?
“Weak weak weak.”
Sky News has contacted Mr Jenrick for comment.
