Rishi Yapping Again.

Rishi Sunak says a Tory MP who defected to Labour has “made a mistake”, as he batted off accusations that the Conservatives have become “the nationalist party of the right”.

The prime minister insisted to ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston that his party represents the “common sense majority” after MP Dr Dan Poulter made the shock announcement yesterday that he’s resigning from the Tory Party and crossing the floor.

In a wide-ranging sit down interview, Mr Sunak also categorically ruled out a migrant return scheme with Ireland or the EU, amid an escalating row over increasing numbers of asylum seekers travelling from the UK to Ireland.

On Sunday, Suffolk MP Dr Poulter announced he has quit the Conservatives in protest against the party’s “rightward drift” and neglect of the NHS, saying he could no longer “look my NHS colleagues in the eye” as a Tory.