Kemi Badenoch is part of Tory WhatsApp group chat called ‘Evil Plotters’

Kemi Badenoch insisted she doesn’t want to topple Rishi Sunak but it has now emerged she is part of a WhatsApp group chat called ‘Evil Plotters’ along with Michael Gove

Kemi Badenoch insisted just yesterday that she doesn’t want to topple Rishi Sunak (

Image: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Kemi Badenoch is part of a Tory WhatsApp group called “Evil Plotters”, according to bombshell reports.

The Business and Trade Secretary insisted just yesterday that she doesn’t want to topple Rishi Sunak and told Tory plotters to “stop messing around”. But in a shock twist it has emerged Ms Badenoch is a member of an “Evil Plotters” group chat, the Guardian revealed. Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove is also said to be a member of the WhatsApp group, as well as other like-minded Conservative MPs.

Ms Badenoch is being talked up in Westminster as a possible successor to the flailing Prime Minister, as disgruntled Tories discuss ousting Mr Sunak and installing her as leader. Ms Badenoch, who is the most popular Cabinet minister according to Tory bible ConservativeHome, ran to be Tory leader when Boris Johnson was ousted.

One Tory insider told the Guardian: “Kemi won’t try to oust Rishi herself, she knows that the hand that wields the knife never wears the crown. But she’s got a campaign ready for when the moment does eventually come.”

It comes after a week of bitter Tory rows, which exploded into public view when ex-Cabinet Minister Sir Simon Clarke urged Tories to ditch Mr Sunak or risk being “massacred” at the election. He received public criticism from Conservative MPs for his intervention but behind the scenes, a loosely organised group of Tories appears to be plotting his downfall. Rebels, including former No10 aide Will Dry, are said to be behind a mega-poll predicting electoral oblivion for the Tories under Mr Sunak’s leadership.

Speaking on the Sunday broadcast round, Ms Badenoch accused the rebels of “stirring”. “A lot of people who are going around doing this are creating problems and difficulties that the party and more importantly the country does not need. I fully support the Prime Minister,” she told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday. “They need to stop messing around and get behind the leader. The fact of the matter is most of the people in the country are not interested in all of this Westminster tittle tattle. And frankly the people who keep putting my name in there are not my friends.”

A spokesman for Ms Badenoch did not deny the WhatsApp group claim but said: “This is exactly the sort of stirring Kemi was referring to when she told people to stop messing around on Sunday.

“Having lunch, speaking to MPs, and having a parliamentary special adviser is not a plot, it is the day-to-day job of being a secretary of state. This utter nonsense is clearly part of a targeted campaign against Kemi and anyone reading it should treat it as such.”