Opening summary: rival attacks Jenrick
good morning. In leadership contests, the balance of power can shift as one candidate has a moment of positive breakthrough (as was the case with David Cameron in 2005, with no glowing notes at the Conservative Party conference). speech that made him the favorite almost overnight). But often the odds change because someone messed up. Kemi Badenoch's campaign suffered this week after the maternity benefit gaffe. and now robert jenrickThe bookmakers' favorite also made a huge mistake that cost him support.
Yesterday he released a video claiming that British special forces were “killing, not capturing” terrorists due to concerns about attackers being released under European law. as Rajeev Shall, Jessica Elgot and Dan Saba According to reports, he has been criticized by the Labor Party and military officials for his comments.
Now, fellow leadership candidates are also pouring in to say he's wrong and that his comments denigrate special forces.
In an interview on Sky News this morning, tom tugendhatThe former soldier was asked whether he agreed with Jenrick that the SAS were killing people rather than capturing them on the grounds of human rights law. Mr. Tugendhat replied:
no i don't. I think his statements are wrong and demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of military operations and the law of armed conflict.
I am very concerned that such words should never be seen as encouraging people to do anything other than surrender to British forces if asked.
I think he is wrong and shows a fundamental lack of understanding.
and James Cleverley The former foreign secretary, who also served in the military, also refused to back Mr Jenrick's claims. Asked on Sky News whether Jenrick was right to say that the SAS was behaving in this way, Mr Cleverley said:
You'll have to get Robert to justify that statement.
That's not something I've heard, and it's not something I feel comfortable repeating.
As I say, if Robert can justify it, I think he should.
The British military always complies with international humanitarian law, or the law of armed conflict. We have the most professional military in the world. Our military doesn't kill people.
Jenrick Appearing on the Today show this morning, he took pains to defend his comments. Although he refused to admit that he was wrong or that he should have chosen his words more carefully, he was convinced that the military was now “killing, not capturing” terrorists, citing human rights law. When asked repeatedly if he did so, he simply mentioned it repeatedly. to interview that ben wallacea former defense secretary, said last year:
When there is a threat to the UK, this insanity of not being able to take people across borders or arrest people from countries whose police force is unacceptable is more lethal than actually attacking or detaining them. This means that we are often forced to take unreasonable actions.
We will be posting an interview with Jenrick soon.
The agenda for the day is:
10am: The Conservative Party conference begins with sessions on policing, future generations and policy on the main stage.
2pm: Robert Jenrick takes part in a Q&A session on the main stage of the conference.
2pm: Tom Tugendhat is participating in a Fringe conversation event hosted by Onward. At 3:10 p.m., he will do the same at the Center for Policy Research's Fringe.
3pm: James Cleverly will be on the main stage for a Q&A.
5pm: Kemi Badenoch will take part in a Fringe Meeting conversation event with outgoing Spectator editor-in-chief Fraser Nelson.
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