Government in Turmoil
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has dismissed calls for the sacking of Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, following her accusation that the Metropolitan Police are "playing favourites" in relation to the pro-Palestine march. The Prime Minister's spokesperson has confirmed that Boris Johnson has full confidence in Braverman, despite growing pressure from within the government to remove her from office.
Cabinet in Disarray
Suella Braverman has sparked a new cabinet row after her claims that the Met is biased towards certain protest groups. This has caused a rift within the government, with ministers labeling her a disgrace and others stating that she is their hope. Labour has called for her resignation, and a former chief inspector of constabulary has accused her of crossing the line.
Pressure Mounts on Sunak
Rishi Sunak has faced significant pressure from his own team to distance himself from Suella Braverman's contentious remarks. However, he has chosen to stand by her, despite her defiance of orders to proceed with her comments on Armistice Day. Sunak's decision comes amidst a second cabinet meltdown in the span of a week.
Public Opinion Divided
Opinions on Suella Braverman's comments are starkly divided. Tory MP Danny Kruger has defended her, stating that her remarks about the police culture are valid. He argues that the Metropolitan Police themselves impose a ban on masks, yet it is disregarded by thousands during protests. Meanwhile, critics argue that Braverman should not be commenting on how the police do their job.
PM Stays Silent
The Prime Minister's spokesperson stated that Boris Johnson believes the police will operate without bias. However, No10 has yet to release further details on the matter. It is understood that the Prime Minister is displeased with Braverman for submitting her opinion piece to The Times without his approval, which is seen as a breach of the ministerial code.
Accusations of Double Standards
In her article for The Times, Suella Braverman accused the Metropolitan Police of favoring politically-connected minority groups over right-wing protestors. She questioned why lockdown objectors were treated harshly while Black Lives Matter demonstrators were allowed to break rules. Braverman also noted the differential treatment of right-wing and pro-Palestinian protesters engaging in similar behavior.
