The Tory leadership hopeful has claimed soldiers are killing terrorists for fear of detainees being released under European human rights law.

Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly have criticised Robert Jenrick over his claim that UK special forces are “killing rather than capturing terrorists” to prevent European judges setting them free.Mr Jenrick,

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick has defended his claim that British special forces are “killing rather than capturing terrorists”. The former immigration minister made the comment in a video promoting his bid to be the party's leader.

When asked if he backed his claim about the conduct of special forces, Jenrick told activists in Birmingham: “I do". Speaking on stage at a conference event, Jenrick said human rights laws would make it “difficult” for British forces to “conduct a similar operation to the one that the United States did to kill or capture Osama bin Laden”.

Robert Jenrick has caused controversy with a claim about UK special forces. The Conservative Party conference continues in Birmingham as the candidates to replace Rishi Sunak seek to win over members and fellow MPs.

I'm extremely concerned that such words should not be seen in any way to encourage people to take any action other than surrender to British forces when asked to do so,” Tugendhat said. Cleverly said Jenrick should justify his claims.

The former Home Office minister insisted he was unable to go into ‘particular cases’ when pressed to back up his claim.

Mr Jenrick has made quitting the European Convention on Human Rights and its associated court the centrepiece of his campaign to succeed Rishi Sunak. In a campaign video launched at the Conservative conference in Birmingham,

The Today programme host repeatedly pressed the Tory leadership candidate for details over his bizarre remark.