Tory chairman apologises for Braverman email attacking civil service ‘blob’

Greg Hands sorry for ‘error’ which saw government staff lumped in with Labour and ‘left-wing lawyers’

Conservative chairman Greg Hands has apologised for an email sent out in Suella Braverman’s name attacking civil servants as part of an “activist blob”.

The email sent to Tory on behalf of the home secretary – which accused Whitehall officials of trying to block the small boats crackdown along with Labour and “left-wing lawyers” – sparked outraged among unions.

In a letter sent to the PCS union, which represents government staff, cabinet secretary Simon Case said the government had taken swift action to address the “error”.