Kemi Badenoch has been accused by Reform UK of peddling “delusional conspiracy theories” as party insiders claimed membership was growing at a rate of 6,000 a day following her intervention last week.

Tory leader Ms Badenoch launched her scathing attack after the launch of Reform’s membership counter, and specifically over claims that the party led by Nigel Farage had overtaken.

The MP for North West Essex claimed the counter had been “coded to tick up automatically”, adding:”Farage doesn’t understand the digital age.

“This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.”

In response, Clacton MP Mr Farage threatened legal action, adding: “Many of my friends who are still in the Conservative Party are deeply embarrassed by her behaviour.”

And a Reform spokesman offered a withering rejoinder, telling The Times: “Kemi Badenoch’s delusional conspiracy theories have only succeeded in persuading Conservative activists to leave and join Reform.

“So she may be terrible for the ­Tory party but she’s great news for ­Reform.

“The Tory brand is dying under her.”

Reform sources suggested the party is currently gaining 6,000 new recruits each day.

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Meanwhile Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, posting on X, poked fun at her as he “thanked her for her service”.

The businessman added: “Kemi Badenoch constantly complains Nigel Farage wants to ‘destroy the Conservative Party’.

“Now I understand why. She sees that as her job.”

Reform trolled the Tories on Boxing Day, projecting its membership ticker on to CCHQ at the moment when it hit 131,680 – the point at which it overtook the Conservatives.