Suella Braverman – latest: Tory civil war over home secretary police row as Sunak urged to sack her
Leaked WhatsApp messages reveal divided Tory party as MPs clash over home secretary’s protest comments
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rishi Sunak is facing a Tory civil war as he is urged to sack Suella Braverman over her controversial comments ahead of the pro-Palestine march today.
The home secretary has been accused of stirring “hatred and division” after she claimed the police are biased.
But her job is on the line after Downing Street made clear that it had not approved an extraordinary article in which she accused officers of playing favourites over a pro-Palestine march on Armistice Day.
No 10 says it is investigating after it demanded that changes be made to the piece but the request was ignored. As the home secretary’s claims sparked a furious outcry, one Conservative minister broke ranks to accuse her of fuelling “hatred and division”.
Now, leaked WhatsApp messages between Tory MPs reveal discord in the party as Braverman backers and supporters exchanged heated messages on her comments on the police.
Meanwhile, George Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, said the prime minister risked looking weak if he decided not to axe Ms Braverman.
‘Did you forget your resignation letter?’
Suella Braverman was confronted by a shout of “Did you forget your resignation letter?” as she left her home in Hertfordshire earlier amid calls for her to be sacked for her comments accusing police of bias, Holly Patrick reports.
The Home Secretary wrote an article, which was not signed off by Downing Street as significant changes were requested, ahead of a march calling for a Gaza ceasefire on Armistice Day.
She accused officers of “playing favourites” with pro-Palestinian protesters, who she said are “largely ignored” by police “even when clearly breaking the law.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has distanced himself from Ms Braverman’s comments.
Watch the clip here:
‘Forget your resignation letter?’: Suella Braverman confronted at Hertfordshire home
Suella Braverman was confronted by a shout of “Did you forget your resignation letter?” as she left her home in Hertfordshire on Friday (10 November) amid calls for her to be sacked for her comments accusing police of bias. The Home Secretary wrote an article, which was not signed off by Downing Street as significant changes were requested, ahead of a march calling for a Gaza ceasefire on Armistice Day. She accused officers of “playing favourites” with pro-Palestinian protesters, who she said are “largely ignored” by police “even when clearly breaking the law.” Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has distanced himself from Ms Braverman’s comments.
Sunak concerns about march persist despite meeting with Met chief - No 10
No 10 said the PM still had concerns about the actions of those who may splinter off from the main procession tomorrow, despite Rishi Sunak’s meeting with the Met Commissioner earlier this week, Kate Devlin reports.
“Given the arrests we have seen following previous protests and given the actions needed to be taken following previous protests, we do continue to share those concerns,” Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said.
Braverman on personal mission to retoxify Tory brand - Barwell
Suella Braverman appears to be on a “personal mission” to “retoxify” the Conservative Party brand, a Tory peer has said.
Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s former chief of staff, said the home secretary was making the job of the police harder.
He also warned Braverman was making it more difficult for Tory MPs to get reelected at the next general election, expected in the spring or summer of next year.
“She is personally on a mission, as far as I can see, to re-toxify the Conservative brand,” he told Times Radio.
And it’s not so much the issues that she talks about. If you take the example, before this latest article … about the demonstrations, when she talked about people living on the streets being a lifestyle choice.
“if you’re a Conservative, she’s not helping. And more importantly, for those of your listeners that aren’t Conservatives, she’s making the job of the police at this most difficult time, even harder.”
Listen to a clip of the interview here:
Join our WhatsApp Channel for news updates
The Independent has launched a brand new WhatsApp Channel, bringing you the latest breaking news, premium news analysis from our award-winning journalists and an evening news briefing with the day’s top headlines.
Click this invite link to sign up and get all the latest updates on this weekend’s pro-Palestine march and other news.
No 10 continues to investigate how Braverman article got published
No 10 is continuing to investigate how an op-ed by the home secretary accusing the police of bias and playing favourites over protests came to be published, Kate Devlin reports.
But Downing Street said Rishi Sunak still had full confidence in Suella Braverman. The phrase is often repeated by governments up until the moment a senior minister is sacked, however.
And No 10 would not say if the two had talked, despite emphasising that work was going on in government to ensure Remembrance weekend events pass off peacefully.
Nadine Dorries’ bizarre new book — your guide to the highlights
The new book by Nadine Dorries, Boris Johnson’s most devoted Cabinet ally, contains a series of extraordinary claims about his downfall.
Seen by many as part of a campaign to help Mr Johnson return to No 10, the book also includes scathing comments about many senior Conservatives.
Adam Forrest reports:
Nadine Dorries’ new book: From Dr No to Govefinger, your guide to the highlights
Boris Johnson’s No 1 fan hurls insults at Tories she claims brought her hero down
ICYMI: Top civil servant’s foul-mouthed attack on ‘lying’ Matt Hancock at Covid inquiry
Britain’s top civil servant launched a savage attack on Matt Hancock during the pandemic, telling Boris Johnson to sack the “lying” health secretary to “save lives and protect the NHS”, the Covid inquiry heard on Wednesday.
Former cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill said he made the suggestion as a joke in a WhatsApp message to then-No10 permanent secretary Simon Case, confirming the exchange on Wednesday.
Archie Mitchell reports:
Top civil servant’s foul-mouthed attack on ‘lying’ Matt Hancock at Covid inquiry
The inquiry also saw a message from Lord Sedwill to Simon Case saying Matt Hancock was ‘far up Boris Johnson’s a***’
Ex-Natwest boss Alison Rose stripped of £7.6m over Nigel Farage debanking row
NatWest has stripped its former boss Dame Alison Rose of £7.6 million in payouts after she was forced to resign over the Nigel Farage debanking row.
The banking giant said she has not been considered a “good leaver” following her departure and will therefore not receive most of the discretionary parts of her pay package.
Archie Mitchell reports:
Ex-Natwest boss Alison Rose stripped of £7.6m over Nigel Farage debanking row
The banking giant said she has not been considered a ‘good leaver’ following her departure and will therefore not receive most of the discretionary parts of her pay package
Should Suella Braverman resign over pro-Palestine march row? Join The Independent Debate
Much has been said and written about Braverman’s incendiary claim in a recent newspaper article that the police are biased in how they deal with protests.
The remarks are the latest in a string of inflammatory comments made by the home secretary, a darling of the Tory right who is tipped as a future leader of the party.
Was Braverman simply stating her true beliefs in the comment piece, which also provoked outrage in Northern Ireland, or was she trying to get sacked so that she could launch a leadership campaign, eventually taking over from Rishi Sunak, should he lose the next election and resign as party leader.
What do you think? If you want to share your opinion then add it in the comments section in the article below and we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.
All you have to do is sign up and register your details - then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen:
Tell us if Suella Braverman should resign over pro-Palestine march row
The Home secretary has been accused of ‘stirring hatred and division’ ahead of a pro-Palestine march on Remembrance Sunday
Braverman spotted leaving home as she faces calls to resign
Under fire home secretary Suella Braverman was spotted leaving her home earlier this morning as she faced calls to resign.
The home secretary, dressed in a shirt and jacket, was seen smiling as she left her home in Hertfordshire, having spent Thursday at hospital with a family member who needed treatment.
Braverman left at around 10.15 and did not speak to reporters as she left.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments