Leadership hopefuls snub NI Tory event

The Northern Ireland conservatives have said they are “bitterly disappointed” after an event they hosted at the party’s conference was snubbed by three of the candidates running to become leader.

The reception took place on the third night of the conference in Birmingham.

Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tughendhat’s teams had all indicated they would attend.

In the end only Tughendhat turned up and he arrived late, 30 minutes after the event had officially ended.

In previous years at the conference, former prime ministers such as Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson have addressed the event.

Tuesday night’s reception was due to start at 18:00 BST, in a lounge at the conference venue.

Word filtered through that Jenrick, who was the first candidate due to arrive, was unable to attend and that his wife would be there in his place.

It later emerged he had gone to speak to gathering of Tory Eurosceptics known as the ERG (European research group).

His team later tried to pass by the NI Conservatives gathering but was spotted by the media who asked him why he was not in attendance.

He said he had been the only one of the four leadership candidates to visit Northern Ireland since announcing his bid, and that he remained in contact with many in the branch.

Badenoch’s team then sent apologies amid rumours she had stayed away, in order to finalise her speech to the membership on Wednesday.

One of her supporters, shadow Secretary of State Alex Burghart did turn up and spoke at the reception.

Cleverly did not show up and his team did not say why.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Frank Shivers of the NI Conservatives said he was unhappy at how the evening unfolded.

“We're bitterly disappointed that none of them have turned up. However, what I would say is, you know, we're in the third day of a of the conference, that all candidates have been all over the place at various receptions and whatnot,” he said.

“I can sort of understand, but maybe not forgive.”

He said he didn’t feel it was a snub but said his branch would be following up with the candidates as to why they had not turned up.

Arriving after the event had ended, Tughendhat spoke with the remaining members of the NI Conservatives who hadn't already left the event.

"Let's be honest, one thing we need to get beyond in Northern Ireland is sectarianism, on national politics we need to get onto the politics of economics, politics of choice and the politics that bring us together as communities across the whole of the UK. I’m with you guys, it’s good to see you," he said.