Robert Jenrick stands up Farage in most awkward 120 seconds in politics | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Nigel Farage’s triumphant introduction of ex-Tory Robert Jenrick as the newest defector to Reform descended into farce as the previous shadow justice secretary failed to seem on stage. While the ex-minister did ultimately present up on the London press convention, the delay left Mr Farage flailing.

Mr Farage tried to fill the silence with jokes, saying: “He hasn’t changed his mind, has he?” But his tone grew to become slightly extra critical, as he requested aides: “We can’t find him? Is he coming?”

The Reform UK chief then joked to journalists on the occasion: “This would be a very funny end of the day, wouldn’t it? As you can tell, normally when I unveil defections, it’s all perfectly planned. Nothing ever leaks, and I’m known for never leaking. But this circumstance has been sprung on us for reasons that were not under my own control, sadly.”

Mr Farage stored up the jokes, insisting: “He hasn’t changed his mind. Kemi hasn’t called him and asked him back.”

The Reform UK chief then determined to make a critical announcement, saying that Reform will settle for no extra defectors after May 7.

Finally, he declared, with what gave the impression of real aid: “Here he is! Robert Jenrick.”

And when he greeted Mr Jenrick, Mr Farage joked: “I wondered if you’d changed your mind!”

It solely took two minutes for Mr Jenrick to show up, however for these watching the embarrassment, it felt longer.

A senior Tory supply mentioned: “Jenrick was late to the stage at this press conference because he was rewriting the parts of the speech we had released to the media.”

The former Tory cupboard minister then delivered a critical speech, attacking his former get together despite the fact that he was within the final authorities as communities secretary and later served as immigration minister.

He mentioned: “The two main parties are rotten. They’re no longer fit for purpose.

“They both broke Britain. And neither can fix it.

“It’s a conclusion about the Conservative Party that it has pained me to reach.

“Because I’ve been a member since I was 16. Served it most of my adult life.

“I have countless good friends in the party.

“Not least my members in Newark. The most decent, patriotic people I know.

“And I respect – cherish – the party’s contribution to Britain. The party of Pitt, Peel, Churchill, Thatcher.

“But our country is in a precarious, dangerous position.

“And our first loyalty must be to our country.

“Turning it around will require us all to speak the truth. And act accordingly.

“What’s the truth? Both Labour and the Conservatives broke Britain.”