Kemi Badenoch insists Tory party ‘works well together’ then tells MPs to get behind Rishi Sunak

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Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch has insisted that the party “works very well together” regardless of reviews of an inside plot to oust Rishi Sunak.

Ms Badenoch stated on Monday infighting was “just part and parcel of politics” and that we “need to move away from disagreements being portrayed as plots or rows”.

“The facts are that the party works very well together,” she advised LBC. “Yes of course, there will be some people who are unhappy, I’m not going to deny that.”

The cupboard minister additionally dismissed the row over Tory donor Frank Hester’s alleged feedback about Diane Abbott as “trivial” and stated the businessman – who donated £10m to the Conservative party final 12 months – shouldn’t have the cash returned.

When requested if the party ought to return the cash, Ms Badenoch stated: “I’m actually quite surprised that people suggest this. This was something that happened five years ago. He wasn’t talking to Diane Abbott. It wasn’t even really about Diane Abbott. He used her in a reference that was completely unacceptable. He’s apologised for it.

“I think that it is far more important that we accept the apology and not moving on is taking too much attention away from what is actually meaningful to the people around the country.”

She added: “Now, this is trivial Nick. I’m sorry, but I really do believe it is.”

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