Suella Braverman: A quick guide to the home secretary

Suella Braverman has been making headlines for remarks about protesters and homelessness. Here’s what you need to know about the home secretary.

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Braverman criticised the Met Police for their handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations

The home secretary wrote an article in the Times which criticised what she called “pro-Palestinian mobs”, saying scenes were “disturbingly reminiscent” to those seen in Northern Ireland. She also slammed the Met Police for a “double standard” over their handling of protests. Braverman’s article has been widely condemned by former police officers and MPs, with some Conservatives calling for her to be sacked.

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She’s also sparked controversy over remarks on homelessness

Suella Braverman claimed on social media site X that some people living on the streets were doing so as “a lifestyle choice” and pushed for restrictions on giving tents to homeless people. The comments prompted backlash from some Conservatives as well as opposition MPs and homeless charities.

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She’s seen to have her eyes on the top job at No 10

Braverman is known to have ambitions to be the next Tory leader – she was voted out of the 2022 contest to replace Boris Johnson but still has strong support on the right of the party. She has grabbed headlines with provocative comments such as saying Britain faces an “invasion” of migrants.

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She resigned as home secretary under Liz Truss, then came back

She was appointed home secretary, responsible for overseeing UK borders and policing, when Liz Truss became prime minister in September 2022. She then resigned after sending an official document from her personal email, which was against the rules. She criticised the government saying it had “broken key pledges that were promised to voters”. Six days later, she was put back in the position by Rishi Sunak.

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She’s married and has two young children

Suella, short for Sue-Ellen, married Rael Braverman at the House of Commons in 2018 and their children George and Gabriella were born in 2019 and 2021.

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Her parents emigrated to the UK in the 1960s

Born in Harrow, north-west London she grew up nearby Wembley with her parents who come from Kenya and Mauritius. Her mum was an NHS nurse and Tory councillor who also ran to become an MP.

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She’s known for plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda

Braverman has championed a plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, claiming it will curb “illegal migration” to the UK. When the first flight carrying migrants to Rwanda was grounded by the European Court of Human Rights she said the decision was “unacceptable”. In June 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned an earlier High Court ruling that the Rwanda plan was lawful.

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She’s a Brexiteer

She worked as a junior Brexit minister but quit in protest of Theresa May’s EU deal. A qualified barrister, she was made attorney general – the government’s chief legal adviser – by Boris Johnson in 2020.

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She is a Buddhist

When she became an MP she took her oath of office on the book of Buddhist scripture Dhammapada.

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