Robert Jenrick sent Tory leadership rumours swirling when he added hundreds of people to a WhatsApp group titled “V”. Journalists and politicians were among those included in the group, which was created with disappearing messages switched on.

It included former prime ministers Lord Cameron and Liz Truss to TV celebrity Piers Morgan, Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty and property magnate and Reform Party treasurer Nick Candy. He then immediately realised his error and began removing people from the chat – but not before supporters chimed in offering positive messages on the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a woman.

One wrote: “So so pleased common sense won through ... well done Robert for championing straight forward logic ... RJ for PM.

“Morning Robert thank you for including me,” was one person’s bemused response.

The senior Tory later insisted the group was created to drum up support for the London Marathon, which he is participating in.

Mr Jenrick, who lost out to Kemi Badenoch at the Tory leadership election last year, has long been suspected of still holding ambitions to lead the party.

Mrs Badenoch brushed off suggestions her former leadership rival is a threat to her authority.

The Tory leader insisted she has a “great team”, which she said is focused on its local elections campaign.

Asked if she had been added to the WhatsApp group, from which many people were soon after removed, Mrs Badenoch said: “Yes, and then no, I think is the correct answer to that.”

Speaking during a local election campaign visit to Cambridgeshire, the Conservative leader also told broadcasters: “I think he’s running a marathon. That’s what I’ve been told.

“I don’t really understand yet what happened with the WhatsApp group, but it’s not the first time this week that loads of journalists and politicians have been added to a WhatsApp group. Seems to be the trend these days.”

Pressed whether she thought Mr Jenrick was a threat to her leadership, Mrs Badenoch said: “I have a great team, and I’m leading a team that is uniting the Conservative Party.

“What we’re really focused on now is ensuring that people understand that voting Conservative at the local elections is the only credible option.

“Look at Birmingham, where rubbish is piled high on the streets, rats running around. I’m really worried about what will happen if loads of councils are no longer Conservative-run.”

A Labour source said: “He’s running. Clearly, Robert Jenrick views his leadership bid as a marathon and not a sprint.”

MPs return from their Easter recess on Tuesday, when Labour’s response to the Supreme Court ruling will be a key focus.