Kemi Badenoch allegedly plotted to remove Rishi Sunak as PM

A new book by political biographer Anthony Seldon, titled ‘Sunak at 10: The Last Conservative PM?’, alleges that Kemi Badenoch plotted to remove Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister in 2023, months before the general election.

According to the book, which is being serialized in The Independent, Badenoch—who was Business Secretary at the time—sought to oust Sunak due to a lack of respect for him and disagreements over migration policy. The text claims she contacted various cabinet ministers to gauge interest in changing leadership and even considered using her resignation as an ultimatum to force policy changes following Robert Jenrick’s departure in December 2023.

Seldon suggests that Badenoch’s actions were intended to avoid the appearance of ‘wielding the knife’ while actively constructing potential cabinets. An ally of Badenoch has dismissed the claims as ‘total bollocks’.