Former Conservative MP Nigel Evans has launched a scathing attack on his own party's response to Suella Braverman's defection to Reform UK, branding it "an absolute disgrace."
Speaking on GB News, Mr Evans demanded the Conservatives retract their official statement, which made reference to the former Home Secretary's mental health.
The controversy erupted following Mrs Braverman's announcement earlier today that she was joining Nigel Farage's party after three decades as a Conservative member.
The Conservative Party's statement, which sparked Mr Evans's fury, suggested Mrs Braverman's departure was inevitable and took aim at her political record.
"It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect," a party spokesman said.
The statement continued: "The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella's mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy."
The party also mocked her claim of feeling at home with Reform, noting that voters in her constituency did not elect a Reform candidate in 2024.
Speaking about the statement, Mr Evans fumed: "I want to say one other thing before we go any further. The statement issued on behalf of the Conservatives, making reference to the mental health of Suella, I think is an absolute disgrace.
"I think they should withdraw that statement immediately. I think it’s appalling.
Nigel Evans blasted his own party for the statement that they released
|GB NEWS
"People defect for all sorts of reasons. Indeed, we had a defection from Reform to the Conservatives a councillor just a couple of weeks ago.
"I just think it is completely underhand, and I think it’s an absolute disgrace that they’ve made reference to that."
Mrs Braverman used her defection speech to paint a bleak picture of the nation's current trajectory.
"Britain is indeed broken. She is suffering. She is not well," the former Home Secretary declared.
LATEST IN UK POLITICS
Suella Braverman defected to Reform earlier today
| PAShe cited uncontrolled immigration, struggling public services, and widespread feelings of insecurity among her concerns.
"Our youngsters are leaving the country for better futures elsewhere," Ms Braverman added, warning that Britain appeared "weak and humiliated on the world stage".
The MP framed the moment as a critical juncture, presenting voters with a stark choice between "managed decline to weakness and surrender" or taking action to "fix our country, reclaim our power, rediscover our strength."
The Conservatives finished off their statement by saying: "Suella stood for leader of the Conservatives in 2022 and came sixth, behind Kemi and Tom Tugendhat. In 2024 she could not even muster enough supporters to get on the ballot.
"She has now decided to try her luck with Nigel Farage, who said last year he didn’t want her in Reform. They really are doing our ‘Spring cleaning'!
"As always happens with Reform, they unveil defections just when the Labour government is tearing itself to pieces, Rayner, Mandelson, now Burnham.
"Reform are too busy opposing the Conservatives to hold the Labour Government to account.
"The Conservative Party is now the only party that believes in smaller government, less welfare and Britain living within its means, and has the team and the experience to get Britain working again."