Former Defence Secretary Sir Grant Shapps has reportedly failed to secure approval to stand as a Conservative candidate at the next General Election under the party's new selection process.
According to multiple reports, including the Press Association, Sir Grant applied to join the Conservative Party's approved candidates list but was unsuccessful following an assessment introduced under Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Neither Sir Grant nor Conservative Campaign Headquarters has issued a formal statement confirming the reports. However, when questioned by journalists during a visit on Wednesday, Mrs Badenoch did not deny that senior former MPs had failed the new selection process.
Instead, she declined to discuss individual cases, saying:
"This is a new and different Conservative Party."
Mrs Badenoch said the party was rebuilding following last year's General Election defeat and was determined to select candidates who reflected the direction in which she wanted to take the Conservatives.
She added that candidate selection decisions were a matter for the party's independent approval process rather than its political leadership.
Sir Grant served in several Cabinet positions during previous Conservative governments, including Secretary of State for Defence, Energy Security and Net Zero, Home Secretary, Transport Secretary and Business Secretary. He represented Welwyn Hatfield from 2005 until losing the seat at the 2024 General Election.
The reports have prompted discussion about the future role of experienced former ministers within the Conservative Party as it rebuilds under Mrs Badenoch's leadership. However, in the absence of an official statement from either Sir Grant or the party confirming the decision, the reports remain based on information published by several national news organisations.
Mrs Badenoch has repeatedly said she wants to build "a new and different Conservative Party", signalling that the candidate approval process is intended to reflect that objective as preparations continue for the next General Election.