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Andrew Rosindell has joined Reform UK, becoming the second Conservative MP to defect to Nigel Farage’s party this week.

The MP for Romford said he had decided to resign from his position as a shadow foreign office minister in Kemi Badenoch’s frontbench and as a member of the Conservative Party.

He wrote on X: “Since joining the Conservative Party at the age of 14, I have been a loyal and committed supporter of the principles advocated by Margaret Thatcher that have always underpinned my own political beliefs.

“However, the time has come to put country before party.

“The failure of the Conservative Party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me.”

He said he believed the Tories were “irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments and unwilling to take meaningful accountability for the poor decisions” they made.

He said he spoke to Mr Farage on Sunday evening and agreed to join his party.

He added: “It is clear to me that Reform UK is now the only political movement that is genuinely willing to fight for the best interests of the United Kingdom.

“The views and concerns of the majority of the British people must no longer be sidelined.

“Our country has endured a generation of managed decline. Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain one that firmly places the interests of the British people first.”

Mr Farage said: “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.

“He will be a great addition to our team ahead of the elections on May 7th.”