Sir John Hayes, who backed Robert Jenrick to be celebration chief, has stated the Tories ought to stand behind Kemi Badenoch “for now”.
He informed Sky Information that Ms Badenoch's job is to “pull the celebration collectively” and it’s the job of Tory MPs to “assist her do this”.
“I want her each success”, he says, including: “I believe there are all prospects for her to achieve success”.
Nevertheless, Sir John went on to say that in politics “issues change”.
However, he says, “for the time being, we’ve got to help Kemi Badenoch and we’ve got to win the election – and that's what I'm specializing in.”
Sam CoatesOur deputy political editor pushes Sir John on his alternative of phrases – “for the time being” – and the message it sends about the way forward for the celebration.
Sir John says “that was not the implication of what I stated”.
He reiterates that the Tories' focus should be on “combating the Labor authorities”.