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
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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.
Sunak ‘too weak’ to sack Braverman, says Starmer
Keir Starmer accused Suella Braverman of being “divisive” and “stoking up tension”.
The Labour leader also said the home secretary was “undermining the police as they go into a very difficult set of operational decisions.”
He told broadcasters: “She is doing the complete opposite of what I think most people in this country would see as the proper role of the home secretary.”
Sir Keir also said Rishi Sunak is “too weak to say anything about it”.
Asked whether he thought Ms Braverman should be sacked, Sir Keir said that is a question for the PM. He said: “He must know that this isn’t the way the home secretary should behave … He’s got a home secretary who’s out of control and he is too weak to do anything about it.”
Suella Braverman accused of inciting far right groups to challenge pro-Palestine march
The home secretary was branded “out of control” and “unhinged” for her extraordinary comments which claimed the Metropolitan Police is biased in its approach to policing pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Ms Braverman has now been accused of ramping up tensions with her remarks after far right groups, including Tommy Robinson, vowed to stage counter demonstrations.
Braverman accused of inciting right-wing groups to challenge pro-Palestine march
Former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendant Dal Babu said the home secretary has ‘emboldened far right groups to come out’
Human rights officer says brother killed in Gaza bombing
Rasha Abushaban, who worked for the United Nations, has claimed her brother Rami was killed in Gaza by ‘barbarian’ Israeli forces.
The Chevening Scholar paid tribute to her brother, writing in Arabic on X: “God chose you and chose you, my tender, my beloved.”
The Chevening Scholarship, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential.
Braverman defies No 10’s order to take out inflammatory element of police attack article
No 10 has made clear that it did not approve Suella Braverman’s incendiary op-ed which accused the Metropolitan Police of bias in allowing Saturday’s pro-Palestine march to go ahead.
The home secretary has sparked a furious outcry after she accused Scotland Yard of “playing favourites” over the Gaza rally set to take place – claimed police bias had stopped right-wing protests but permitted “pro-Palestinian mobs” to demonstrate.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said Downing Street did not approve the final text of Ms Braverman’s op-ed for The Times.
Adam Forrest reports:
Camilla opens Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey
Queen Camilla was pictured dressed in a black cape and hat during a visit to the Field of Remembrance, in its 95th year.
She placed a memorial cross during the solemn ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, ahead of Armistice Day on Saturday.
Queen Camilla also met veterans of the armed forces.
The Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey will be officially opened and accessible to the public from 1pm.
From Thursday 9th November until Sunday 19th November the Field is scheduled to be open from 10am to 4pm.
The Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey has been organised by The Poppy Factory since 1928.
Number 10 distances itself from Suella Braverman article
Suella Braverman’s job hangs in the balance after the PM’s spokesperson confirmed her Times op-ed was “not cleared by No 10”.
Downing Street took the unusual step in confirming earlier Sky and Telegraph reports in a shock move as it usually doesn’t comment on process during internal rifts within the cabinet.
The spokesperson would not add anything more when pushed by reporters.
He would not say whether No 10 did not see the article before publication or whether No 10 requested changes which were ignored.
Asked if the PM had confidence in Braverman, the spokesperson said yes.
They added No 10 was still trying to establish exactly what happened and to expect a potential further “update”.
‘Stop arming Israel’ Protesters scale Scottish Parliament to hang Palestinian flag
Five protesters have climbed up the awning outside the main entrance and are displaying the flag and a Stop Arming Israel banner.
The protest comes ahead of First Minister’s Questions at noon.
The group of pro-Palestinian protesters who have climbed the Scottish Parliament said they are not part of an organisation.
As reporters shouted questions, one member of the group, who all have their faces covered, said: “We’re here to put pressure on the Scottish Government to take action against arms exports to Israel.”
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “Protestors have gained access to the roof and unfurled a banner. Police Scotland are in attendance. There is no disruption to parliament business and public access to the building is unaffected.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We’re aware of the protest and officers are in attendance.”
Supreme Court to rule on Rwanda policy next week
The Supreme Court is to give its decision on whether Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman’s plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda are lawful next week.
Last month, the Home Office challenged a Court of Appeal ruling from June that the multimillion-pound deal – which would see asylum seekers put on one-way flights to the east African nation – was unlawful.
Five justices at the UK’s highest court are now to give their decision on the challenge on Wednesday, November 15.
The Illegal Migration Act brought into law the government’s policy of sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, the policy announced in April 2022 has been held up in the courts, with no deportation flights having taken place.
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