Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch has issued a warning to Reform UK's Nigel Farage, ahead of the Honorary President's major announcement this afternoon.
Taking to social media, Farage revealed he will be "making an Emergency General Election announcement" at 4pm, with Reform UK leader Richard Tice.
The announcement comes after Farage said last week that he had decided not to stand in this July's General Election in order to prioritise his efforts in America with ally Donald Trump.
Speaking to GB News, Badenoch admitted she would be "open" to working with "anyone who wants to help deliver Conservative agenda", but claimed Farage "wants to destroy the Conservatives".
Kemi Badenoch has warned Nigel Farage ahead of his 'emergency election announcement'
GB News / PA
When asked if she would welcome Farage into the Tory party, Badenoch told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster: "Nigel Farage is a very interesting character.
"He's been very influential, of course, but he has stood against the Conservative Party multiple times."
Hitting out at his agenda with Reform UK, Badenoch added: "He has said that his aim is to destroy the Conservative Party.
"So why would you welcome someone into your organisation when they say they want to destroy it?"
Nigel Farage will make a General Election announcement later today
PA
Isabel pressed Badenoch again and said although she claims he is "not welcome" within the party, could she be open to working with him.
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Badenoch admitted: "I will work with anyone who wants to help deliver a conservative agenda. I've worked with Labour MPs on this issue of sex and gender.
"For example, I've worked with SNP MPs who disagreed with their government in Scotland. So I'm open to working with with everybody."
Criticising Farage again, she added: "What I'm not open to is having people who are not conservative, try and join the Conservative Party so they can destroy it."
Speaking previously on GB News, Farage has openly admitted that he has "regrets" about not standing in this summer's election.
Kemi Badenoch says Nigel Farage 'wants to destroy the Conservatives'
GB News
Appearing on Breakfast with Ellie and Stephen last week, he told GB News he's had "absolutely huge regrets" about his decision.
Farage admitted: "I was going to launch a six month campaign to fight a constituency and to campaign all over the country.
"I think Reform could have done astonishingly well. In six weeks, starting from scratch when you are me, when you know they will cheat against me as they did last time, and by the way, I’m not making that up because one of the agents got a nine month suspended prison sentence for breaking the law in the Conservative campaign against me.
“In those circumstances, I thought I could do much better for the party and the cause by touring the country. I couldn’t have done those things and fought a seat from scratch against an establishment here that won’t do quite the same as Trump, but will do almost anything to stop me."
