Jack Ross in Al Jazeera video worked for Conservative HQ, BBC says

Jack Ross, who gave social media advice to the Conservatives and met Kemi Badenoch, appears in undercover video offering to arrange violent crime

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Jack Ross, a former Conservative activist who appeared in an undercover Al Jazeera report offering to 'broker' the hiring of contract killers, previously worked for Conservative headquarters providing social media advice, the BBC has learned. The party has suspended his membership pending an investigation.

The BBC has been told that Jack Ross was contracted to do social media work for the Conservative Party until earlier this year. He was never an employee or a holder of a Conservative Campaign Headquarters pass, but met party leader Kemi Badenoch on several occasions in his role as chief executive of Turning Point UK, an offshoot of a right-wing US organisation. Ross has also met former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

In undercover footage broadcast this week by Al Jazeera, Ross appears to offer to “broker” the services of contract killers. According to the report, an undercover journalist approached Ross in 2022 with a fictitious scenario about a family business at risk from a criminal gang. Ross is alleged to have asked what was needed, listing violent options including stabbing, shooting and killing.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the allegations as “shocking” and said she did not believe Ross was still a member. A Conservative spokesperson confirmed Ross’s party membership had been “suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation”.

Al Jazeera reported that Ross denied the finding “completely” and claimed his words were not meant to be taken seriously. Turning Point UK has been approached for comment.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The allegations involve a person who had direct access to senior Conservative figures, including the party leader, raising questions about vetting and safeguards.
The case links UK politics to a US-based organisation, Turning Point UK, whose methods and affiliations have drawn scrutiny.
The party’s swift suspension shows the sensitivity of the claims, which come as the Conservatives seek to rebuild under new leadership.

Background

Jack Ross is the chief executive of Turning Point UK, a British offshoot of the American right-wing group Turning Point USA. He was contracted by the Conservative Party for social media work earlier this year, though he was not a staff member or pass holder. The undercover investigation by Al Jazeera dates to 2022, when a reporter posed as someone seeking help with a criminal threat to a family business.

Key Perspectives

Kemi Badenoch (Conservative leader): Called the allegations “shocking” and said she did not believe Ross “is a member anymore”. Conservative Party spokesperson: Said Ross’s membership had “been suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation”. Jack Ross: Denied the finding “completely” and said his words were not meant to be taken seriously, according to Al Jazeera.

What to Watch

The outcome of the Conservative Party’s investigation into Ross’s membership.
Whether the party faces further questions about its vetting of contractors and associates.
Any statement from Turning Point UK or further reporting from Al Jazeera on the matter.

Sources

Tory activist in 'contract killing broker' claim had worked for party HQ · BBC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedJack Ross previously worked for Conservative headquarters.BBC News: “A former Tory activist who appeared to offer to "broker" the hiring of contract killers in an undercover film report previously worked for Conservative headquarters.”
SupportedRoss appears in undercover footage offering to “broker” the services of contract killers.BBC News: “In undercover filming broadcast this week by Al Jazeera, Ross appears to offer to "broker" the services of contract killers.”
SupportedRoss provided social media advice to the Conservative Party until earlier this year.BBC News: “Jack Ross was contracted to do social media work for the party until earlier this year, the BBC has been told. [...] Ross was paid to provide social media advice to the party for a brief period, the BBC has been told.”
SupportedRoss met Kemi Badenoch on several occasions.BBC News: “However, he met Badenoch on several occasions as part of his role as chief executive of Turning Point UK, an offshoot of a right-wing American organisation.”
Reports differRoss was chief executive of Turning Point UK.BBC News: “However, he met Badenoch on several occasions as part of his role as chief executive of Turning Point UK”
SupportedRoss was never a Conservative employee or a holder of a Conservative Campaign Headquarters pass.BBC News: “He was never an employee or Conservative Campaign Headquarters pass holder.”
Partly supportedA Conservative spokesperson confirmed Ross’s membership had been suspended pending an investigation.BBC News: “A Conservative spokesman said Ross's party membership had "been suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation".”
SupportedAn undercover journalist approached Ross in 2022 with a fictitious scenario about a family business threatened by a criminal gang.BBC News: “The Al Jazeera report said its undercover journalist approached Ross in 2022 with a fictitious situation of a family business at risk of being taken over by a criminal gang.”
SupportedRoss allegedly asked what was needed and listed violent options including stabbing, shooting and killing.BBC News: “Ross is alleged to have asked the undercover reporter what was needed from him, and listed violent options that could be bought including stabbing, shooting and killing.”
SupportedBadenoch called the allegations “shocking” and said she did not believe Ross was still a member.BBC News: “A Conservative spokesman said Ross's party membership had "been suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation". [...] Kemi Badenoch referred to them as "shocking allegations", adding that she did not "believe that person is a member anymore".”
SupportedAl Jazeera reported that Ross denied the finding “completely” and said his words were not meant to be taken seriously.BBC News: “Al Jazeera said Ross denied the finding "completely" and claimed everything he said to the reporter was not meant seriously.”
SupportedTurning Point UK has been approached for comment.BBC News: “Turning Point UK has been approached for comment.”