‘Lost the plot’: Liz Truss’s constituents give damning verdict on premiership so far
Suella Braverman has quit as home secretary, her resignation letter to the prime minister confirms.
Former transport secretary Grant Shapps has been appointed to the role, Downing Street said.
Ms Braverman sent Liz Truss an open letter, in which she claims she resigned over a “mistake” she made in sending an official document from her personal email account.
But, she mainly voiced concern over the government’s conduct, writing that “pretending we haven’t made mistakes” and having “broken key pledges” is “not serious politics”.
It’s another blow to Ms Truss, who’s battling to hold onto her job amid a mounting campaign among Tory MPs and members to get rid of her.
Ms Braverman also wrote: “Earlier today, I sent an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague as part of policy engagement … This constitutes a technical infringement of the rules.
“As you know the document was a draft written ministerial statement about migration, due for publication imminently. Much of it had already been briefed MPs. Nevertheless it is right for me to go.”
Tory MP apologises for Tory government ‘soap drama’
Bob Seely has apologised for the “frustrating” state of the Conservative Party.
The Tory MP for the Isle of Wight spoke to Tom Swarbrick on LBC Radio, and said: “I actually want to apologise, I really am getting fed up with this soap drama as much as your listeners are.
“ … I’m frankly as bemused as pretty much everyone else is and I’m really unhappy with the situation.”
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 18:30
Truss’ letters to Kwarteng and Braverman compared
Liz Truss has used far less emotive language in her letter to Suella Braverman compared to the one she sent to Kwasi Kwarteng, a comparison shows.
Ben Riley-Smith, the political editor of The Telegraph, pointed out that the prime minister’s letter to Mr Kwarteng – who she sacked as chancellor over their disastrous mini-Budget – is “full of praise”.
It also includes words such as “friend”, “deeply sorry”, and “deeply respect”.
Meanwhile, the letter to Ms Braverman – who resigned as home secretary today – is more concise, holds less emotion, and is “mainly a list of facts,” Mr Riley-Smith said.
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 18:20
Grant Shapps succeeds Suella Braverman as home secretary
Grant Shapps is the new home secretary, Downing Street has confirmed.
The former transport secretary’s appointment comes after Suella Braverman’s resignation.
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 18:07
Tory government ‘falling apart at seams’ just six weeks in
Suella Braverman’s counterpart said that her resignation shows that the Tory government is “falling apart at the seams”.
Her quitting comes less than a week after Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked by Liz Truss and replaced by Jeremy Hunt.
The turmoil comes just over a month after Ms Truss was appointed prime minister.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “To appoint and then sack both your home secretary and chancellor within 6 weeks is utter chaos. This is no way to run a government.
“Suella Braverman has admitted breaching security procedures which raises serious questions. There are also reports of major disputes about policy and we have had weeks of disagreements.
“We need an urgent statement from the Prime Minister. Home affairs, security and public safety are too important for this kind of chaos.
“The problems go beyond one home secretary … The public doesn’t need changes at the top of the Tory party, it needs a Labour government.”
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 18:00
Corbyn: ‘Fulfil dreams of refugees, not dying dreams of Suella’
Jeremy Corbyn has called on Britain to “actualise the living dreams of refugees” rather than the “dying dreams of Suella Braverman”.
His tweet comes after Ms Braverman – who said her “dream” was to see planeloads of asylum seekers be sent to Rwanda while their applications are processed – quit as home secretary.
The former Labour leader, who is now an independent MP for Islington North, tweeted: “Two weeks ago, Suella Braverman told us her dream was to witness a flight sending refugees to Rwanda. Thankfully, she has now resigned.
“For the sake of humanity, we must ensure it’s the living dreams of refugees, not the dying dreams of Suella Braverman, that are actualised.”
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 17:40
Dominic Cummings: Braverman ‘clearly fired’ by Truss or Hunt
Dominic Cummings said the reason Suella Braverman gave for resigning as home secretary is “laughable” and that she was “clearly fired”.
The former chief adviser to former PM Boris Johnson tweeted his reaction to her quitting.
Ms Braverman had written to PM Liz Truss explaining that she had sent a draft written ministerial statement via her personal email account to another MP. She said, for this reason, it’s “right for [her] to go”.
But Mr Cummings, who has regularly voiced his criticism of the Tories since he had been forced to resign over violating Covid rules, said official and sensitive government documents are circulated via non-government email accounts and WhatsApp on a daily basis.
He added that being sacked or resigning over that is “laughable”, and said he believes she was “clearly fired” by Ms Truss or newly-appointed chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 17:28
Braverman doubts Home Office’s ability to reduce migration
Suella Braverman made some criticisms of the government’s ability to achieve its manifesto pledges at the same time she quit as home secretary.
She wrote in her open letter to Liz Truss that “pretending we haven’t made mistakes” and having “broken key pledges” is “not serious politics”.
Ms Braverman, who was appointed to the role on 6 September, said she is concerned about the government’s ability to reduce the number of migrants.
She wrote: “Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this government’s commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration, particularly the dangerous small boats crossings.”
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 17:19
Suella Braverman shares resignation letter she sent to PM
Suella Braverman has quit as home secretary, her resignation letter to the prime minister confirms.
She posted a copy of her letter to Liz Truss, which states that she resigned over a “mistake” she made in sending an official document from her personal account.
In the letter, she says: “Earlier today, I sent an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague as part of policy engagement, and with the aim of garnering support for government policy on migration.
“This constitutes a technical infringement of the rules. As you know the document was a draft written ministerial statement about migration, due for publication imminently. Much of it had already been briefed MPs.
“Nevertheless it is right for me to go.”
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 16:57
‘Braverman no longer home secretary’ – Home Office source
A Home Office source confirmed that Suella Braverman is no longer the home secretary.
Her departure from the role comes just weeks after she was first appointed to replace Priti Patel on 6 September.
Grant Shapps, former transport secretary, could be in line to succeed Ms Braverman, The Guardian, which first reported her departure, said.
Lamiat Sabin19 October 2022 16:56
Braverman out as Home Secretary
It is understood that Suella Braverman has departed as the UK Home Secretary.
Downing Street has not denied the Guardian’s report that Braverman has departed as Home Secretary.
No 10 has denied Braverman has been sacked but it has not shared further information yet on the nature of her departure.
It comes after Liz Truss cleared her diary and cancelled a planned visit as she attempts to save her position.
There is speculation that Grant Shapps, former transport secretary, will replace Braverman.
Lucy Skoulding19 October 2022 16:30
Kaynak: briturkish.com