Conservatives deny purge as Lord Barwell loses whip after criticising Badenoch

The Conservative Party has denied a purge of centrists after Lord Gavin Barwell lost the party whip following his criticism of leader Kemi Badenoch.

• Lord Barwell, a former minister and Theresa May's chief of staff, lost the Conservative whip in the House of Lords.
• A Conservative source denied the move was ideological, citing his conduct and public statements against the party and its leader.
• Barwell said he learned of the decision from a Daily Mail article and believes it stemmed from his criticism of Badenoch's stance on net zero.
• Badenoch had written that Conservatives supporting net zero targets are "not serious" and no longer welcome in the party.