Robert Jenrick’s rancorous relationship with former Tory colleagues aired live on BBC

Victoria Atkins accused him of abandoning friendship and said they had not spoken since he defected to Reform

The rancorous relationship between Robert Jenrick and his former colleagues in the Conservative party was aired on live TV on Friday when an MP who had backed his leadership bid accused him of abandoning their friendship.

Victoria Atkins, the shadow environment secretary, revealed live on the BBC’s local election programme that she had not spoken to Robert Jenrick since he defected to Reform in January.