REFORM last night gained its seventh MP as former Tory Shadow Minister Andrew Rosindell defected to join Nigel Farage.
The Romford MP had been a member of the Conservatives since he was 14 and previously served as Shadow Minister for Home Affairs between 2007 – 2010.
He held the role of Shadow Parliamentary Under SecretaryCredit: Alamy
He is the second Tory to defect in the space of a week after ex Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Mr Rosindell named the surrender of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a final straw in his decision to switch parties.
Negotiations for the hated deal began under the last government – but were signed and sealed under Labour.
Mr Rosindell said: “I have consistently argued, both from the backbenches and the frontbench, that the right of self-determination of the Chagossian people is sacrosanct, and that they alone should decide the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
“Regrettably, these concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
“Both the government and the opposition have been complicit in the surrender of this sovereign British territory to a foreign power.”
Commenting on the move, Nigel Farage added: “Andrew is a great patriot.
“The Tories’ lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal has tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks.”
Andrew Rosindell is the Conservative MP for Romford , and has been an MP continually since 7 June 2001.
He held the role of Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs) before his resignation today.
This comes just days after Robert Jenrick’s high-profile exit.
The pair will join his new boss .
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