Inside Politics: ‘You can quote me on that’

Damning new report reveals criminals are joining police forces as Braverman continues to come under fire over migrants and Hancock defends jungle decision, writes Matt Mathers

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Hello there, I’m Matt Mathers and welcome to The Independent’s Inside Politics newsletter.

Nightmares last night about Matt Hancock in a pair of budgie smugglers? You’re not alone.

Inside the bubble

Commons action gets underway at 11.30am with Cop26 questions to Alok Sharma, followed by PMQs at 12. After that is a ten-minute rule motion on microplastic filters. Next up the Scottish National Party has an opposition day debate.

Daily briefing

Vetting failures

Suella Braverman’s Home Office has been in the headlines over its handling of immigration and will likely face more questions today over policing, as a damning new report reveals that criminals are being hired by forces. Recruits with links to serious organised crime and histories of predatory behaviour are among some of those who are in jobs, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services latest report has concluded.

The report also found that a culture of misogyny and predatory behaviour toward members of the public, female police officers and staff is pervasive in many police forces. The watchdog, which analysed hundreds of police vetting files, discovered many cases where individuals should not have been permitted to become police officers. Chief inspector of constabulary Matt Parr warned “we are close to a tipping point in policing” adding there were warning signs before Sarah Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021.

Speaking yesterday, the home secretary, who has been referred to a financial watchdog by Labour over her security breaches, said the report shone a “stark light” on the problems and it was “unacceptable” that women “continue to experience misogynistic and sexist behaviour,” adding: “It is disappointing that HMICFRS have found that, even in a small number of cases, forces are taking unnecessary risks with vetting.

“ I have been clear that culture and standards in the police need to change and the public’s trust in policing restored.Chief constables must learn these lessons and act on the findings of this report as a matter of urgency.”

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Jungle adventures

As you might expect, Hancock, the former health secretary, gets a good going over in the papers and news websites today over his decision to sign up for I’m a Celebrity...Get Me out of Here! “King of the Bungle”, says the Metro’s splash, while the Daily Mirror goes with a slightly more critical and serious line: “The man with no shame”.

Despite losing the Conservative Party whip over his planned jungle adventure, Hancock appears to be committed to going (reports say he landed in Brisbane last night) and has written in The Sun today explaining his decision.

“While there will undoubtedly be those who think I shouldn’t go, I think it’s a great opportunity to talk directly to people who aren’t always interested in politics, even if they care very much about how our country’s run,” he said. “It’s our job as politicians to go to where the people are — not to sit in ivory towers in Westminster.”

Many Westminster watchers have been trying to understand Hancock’s rationale and one convincing theory being put forward is that he has concluded that he won’t be returning to government any time and therefore has nothing to lose. But his constituents may beg to differ and might not be convinced that Hancock’s claim of wanting to promote his dyslexia campaign is his true motivation.

On the record

Deputy chair of Hancock’s local Conservative Association on his planned jungle adventure.

“I’m looking forward to him eating a kangaroo’s penis. Quote me. You can quote me that.”

From the Twitterati

Times politics editor Steven Swinford on what Boris Johnson does next.

“What Johnson does in coming months – and how he seeks to ‘protect his legacy’ – has ramifications for Sunak and the ‘eye-watering’ decisions he is about to make on the economy.”

Essential reading

• Victoria Richards, The Independent: Words matter in politics – Suella Braverman knew exactly what she was doing
• Hamish McRae, The Independent: The housing boom has clearly ended – but what happens now?
• Sean O’Grady, The Independent: Matt Hancock beware – politicians have a patchy track record on reality TV
• Robin Ashenden, The Spectator: Putin goes to war on gay rights

Inside Politics first appeared in our daily morning email. You can sign up via this link.

*This article was updated on 8 November. The previous version referred to the Scottish Nationalist Party rather than the Scottish National Party. The new version reflects this change.