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TAKING in Tory defector Natalie Elphicke was “naked opportunism by Labour”, Lord David Cameron said today.

The Foreign Secretary slammed Sir Keir Starmer for welcoming in the right-wing hardliner — amid fresh allegations that she lobbied on behalf of her sex offender ex-husband.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, sits with new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke, during a visit to Dover, Kent. Sir Keir has said politics should be "less tribal" and suggested he was open to "reasonably-minded people" from other parties joining Labour as he welcomed Tory defector Natalie Elphicke. Picture date: Friday May 10, 2024. PA Photo. Ms Elphicke joined Sir Keir in Dover, her constituency, to launch the Labour Party's plans to tackle people-smuggling gangs bringing migrants across the Channel in small boats. Taking questions from the media, he said: "I'm very pleased to welcome Natalie to the Labour Party. You've heard the reasons yourself why she took that very difficult step." See PA story POLITICS Elphicke. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
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Sir Keir Starmer was slammed by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron after he took in Dover MP Natalie Elphicke, following her defection from the ToriesCredit: Gareth Fuller / PA Wire
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron appearing on the BBC 1 current affairs programme, Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. Picture date: Sunday May 12, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Israel. Photo credit should read: Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
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Lord Cameron appeared on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme todayCredit: Jeff Overs / BBC

Lord Cameron said: “This is quite a right-wing Conservative MP suddenly welcomed into the Labour fold having never supported any of their policies, ­people or approaches.”

Labour today backed the Dover MP, brushing off the fresh corruption claims against her.

She has been accused of pushing ministers in 2020 to interfere in her ex-husband Charlie Elphicke’s sex offences trial.

The Sunday Times reported she told then Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland it was unfair the case was the first to be heard at Southwark crown court after the Covid lockdown.

READ MORE ON NATALIE ELPHICKE

One person present viewed her comments as a bid to have the case moved to a lower-profile court to spare embarrassment.

But Labour’s Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “She said that is nonsense and not her interpretation of the meeting.

“I obviously wasn’t in the meeting so I don’t know.

“If this happened at the time, then why did the Lord Chancellor not raise this issue at the time through his good offices?”

Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour blaming ‘broken promises’ – despite slamming Keir Starmer over migrant crisis
DOVER, ENGLAND - MAY 10: MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke speaks during a press conference on May 10, 2024 in Dover, England. The Labour leader announced plans for border security and tackling the issue of small boat crossings. Starmer is expected to announce plans for a new Border Security Command, new counter-terror powers, and new specialist enforcement officers and investigators as part of pledge to change what he calls the Conservative Party's 'talk tough, do nothing culture' on border control. Labour says part of the proposals would be funded by diverting money currently being used for the government's Rwanda deportation policy. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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Lord Cameron noted that Ms Elphicke was known as a right-wing hardliner and had not previously supported any Labour policiesCredit: Getty
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