Once Rishi’s ally, this was a ruthless move

ROBERT Jenrick has long been considered a close friend and ally of the Prime Minister.

In 019 he joined fellow rising stars Rishi Sunak and Oliver Dowden in penning an influential article endorsing Boris Johnson’s leadership bid, which was widely seen as pivotal in galvanising young Tory moderates behind him.

When he was appointed as immigration minister by Mr Sunak last year, it was thought he had been put there to try and rein in the more radical and troublesome Suella Braverman.

But whatever their past relationship, the timing of his departure yesterday – and the hostile tone of his resignation letter to the Prime Minister – was about as unfriendly as it gets.

It came just four hours after Mrs Braverman put the boot into the PM with her own ‘personal statement’ to the Commons – and less than an hour after Mr Sunak warned his MPs they needed to unite or die.

One close ally of the PM described it as ‘treacherous’ and accused Mr Jenrick of trying to ‘destroy the party’.

It also displayed a previously unseen ruthless streak. Tory MPs were last night pondering Mr Jenrick’s motives. Was he angered by being overlooked for Home Secretary in last month’s reshuffle? Does he really think he could break out of obscurity and one day lead the party?

His own explanation – that he simply does not believe the new Rwanda legislation will work – is hardly more helpful.

After all, if the immigration minister with responsibility for guiding the legislation through parliament, says it is a ‘triumph of hope over experience’, why should anyone else back it?

The blow to the PM is all the more bitter because it came amid signs his Rwanda plan might just serve to unite his fractious MPs. Veteran Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash, who is examining the detail on behalf of the Tory Right, told Mr Sunak it was ‘bold and robust’ at a meeting of the 19 Committee.

If Mr Jenrick’s resignation hardens opinion against the Bill it might not even make it through the Commons, let alone the Lords, where peers are already sharpening their knives. Last night Tory whips were on red alert for any signs that Mr Jenrick’s departure might trigger further resignations, or add to the pile of letters of no confidence – which is already said to be in double figures. Labour, who have no serious plans to control immigration, were jubilant.

In Downing Street, there was a mood of anger and despair that once again, a potential step forward had been derailed. Whatever the rights and wrongs of Mr Jenrick’s departure it adds to the sense Tory MPs have a collective death wish. If they carry on like this, their wish will be granted.