Suella Braverman – latest: Home secretary ‘stirring hatred and division’ as Rishi Sunak urged to sack her

Suella Braverman has been accused of stirring “hatred and division” as Rishi Sunak faces calls to sack the home secretary over her incendiary claim that the police are biased.

Ms Braverman’s 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”.

Meanwhile George Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, said the prime minister risked looking weak if he decided not to axe Ms Braverman.

Key Points

Sack Braverman or look weak, Osbourne tells Sunak

Tory whips ‘ringing MPs to ask views on Braverman’

Home secretary defiesd No 10 order to remove inflammatory claims

No 10 contradicts home secretary over police bias claim

Braverman accuses Met of ‘playing favourites’ by allowing Gaza march

12:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

We are going to pause this blog as the pro-Palestine protest begins.

Stay updated with the latest from the march with our liveblog.

Labour MP: Suella must be sacked and Sunak should apologise

12:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Karl Turner said Suella Braverman should be sacked for “revving up far right yobs to come out and pollute our streets by spewing their vile hatred on Armistice Day”.

The Labour MP told The Independent: “It is a wonder that Braverman hasn’t reserved a balcony viewing spot from Whitehall so she could take a bow to those yobs she’s brought out.

“Rishi Sunak should have sacked her already but should now, he needs to apologise for what his inaction has allowed to happen and then call the general election.

“We need a prime minister in charge of his own government ministers not bossed around by dangerous and thuggish ministers like Braverman.”

Humza Yousaf: Suella Braverman must quit over far-right demonstrators

11:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Humza Yousaf has called on the home secretary to quit for “emboldening” far-right protestors on Armistice Day.

The Scottish first minister said attacks on the police mean Ms Braverman’s position is “untenable”.

He said on X: “The far-right has been emboldened by the Home Secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the Police on Armistice Day.

“The Home Secretary’s position is untenable. She must resign.”

Watch: Two minutes’ silence observed at Cenotaph amid pro-Palestine Remembrance Day march

11:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Suella Braverman’s ‘hate marches’ comments show how little she knows about Northern Ireland

10:38 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Braverman was so anxious to make a point about the threat of this march that she almost threw the entire unionist tradition of Northern Ireland under the bus to do it, Claire Morrison writes:

If you mention Northern Irish politics to people in Britain, their reactions range from trepidation to exasperation. I understand (just try living here). We have a mandatory coalition in Stormont, which is currently collapsed (again), some of our MPs don’t take their seats in Westminster but are still MPs, and the different political identities at play are best represented in a 4D graph.

To be perfectly honest, when it comes to people outside Northern Ireland understanding what happens here, my expectations are through the floor. I’m wrapping up my PhD on Ulster identities and I find it a bit much at times, so I assume nothing of people who aren’t working in the field.

Opinion: Braverman’s comments show how little she knows about Northern Ireland

Join our WhatsApp Channel for news updates

10:11 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

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.

Sign up and get the latest on the pro-Palestine march and more by pressing this invite link.

British Muslims ‘feel betrayed’ as Sunak and Starmer both refuse calls for Gaza ceasefire

09:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

British Muslim communities have said they feel “betrayed” by the government and the Labour Party over the UK’s response to the war in Gaza.

Despite widespread pleas to demand a ceasefire as the death toll in Gaza reportedly exceeds 10,000, Rishi Sunak has not only refused to do so but sacked a Tory MP calling for one. Home secretary Suella Braverman has been accused of stirring up division as she persistently brands pro-Palestine protests “hate marches” and “mobs”.

Sir Keir Starmer sparked outrage soon after the 7 October attacks that reportedly left 1,400 people dead in Israel, after comments suggesting Israel had the right to cut off water and energy to Gaza. He clarified his views 10 days later, insisting: “I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.”

But the damage appeared to be done; a recent survey by Muslim Census of 29,000 responses suggests 66 per cent of Muslim voters would no longer back Labour in the next general election.

Dr Haitham Al-Haddad, chair of the Fatwa Committee for The Islamic Council of Europe, told The Independent Muslim communities feel “disappointed and disheartened” by the government’s attitudes towards the invasion in Gaza.

“It is not just because we are talking about Palestinians or Muslims,” he said. “But we are talking about human beings and children who have been killed in front of the entire world.”

British Muslims ‘feel betrayed’ as Sunak and Starmer refuse calls for Gaza ceasefire

‘I am not worried about violence at pro-Palestine protests,’ Mercer

09:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Johnny Mercer has said he is not worried about violence erupting at pro-Palestine protests in London today.

The veterans minister said he and the prime minister have “worked hard with the police” this week and “they have the full powers they need”.

“Nobody is going anywhere near the Cenotaph,” he told Sky News.

“Clearly we believe in the rights of people to protest, and my message is that London is fully open and welcoming for all those who want to come up this weekend,” he said.

Leaked WhatsApp’s reveal Tory clashes over Braverman’s pro-Palestine march row stance

09:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A cache of leaked WhatsApp messages lay bare the scale of Tory in-fighting over Suella Braverman’s stance on pro-Palestine protests in London on Saturday and her attacks on police.

A group of backbench Conservative MPs have rounded on the home secretary, accusing her of “undermining public confidence in policing”.

But backers of Ms Braverman have hit back, accusing critics of “public carping”.

Ms Braverman is under fire for an incendiary article in The Times on Wednesday in which she accused the police of bias over the pro-Palestine protest, prompting calls from senior Tories for her to be sacked.

Archie Mitchell reports:

Leaked WhatsApp’s reveal Tory clashes over Braverman’s pro-Palestine march row stance

Military top brass turn on Suella Braverman over pro-Palestine march ban row

08:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Suella Braverman has been accused of “fanning the flames of hate” towards Muslims after her attacks on pro-Palestine rallies prompted a furious outcry over concerns she is fuelling “hatred and division”.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, a cross-party committee of MPs, hit out at the home secretary’s rhetoric, which has seen her describe the demonstrations as “hate marches”, warning she is “inspiring far-right” to engage in Islamophobia.

Ms Braverman’s 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 by tolerating the Armistice Day march while using stronger tactics against right-wing protests, with senior Tories urging Mr Sunak to sack her.

Military top brass turn on Suella Braverman over pro-Palestine march ban row

Should Suella Braverman resign over pro-Palestine march row? Join The Independent Debate

08:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Calls for Rishi Sunak to sack Suella Braverman are getting louder amid an extraordinary row over the home secretary’s incendiary claim that the police are biased.

Mr Sunak has been warned by George Osborne that he risks looking weak unless he sacks Ms Braverman and chancellor Jeremy Hunt is just the latest minister to distance himself from her comments.

Ms Braverman’s job is on the line after Downing Street made clear that it had not approved an extraordinary article in which she accused the Metropolitan Police of bias in favour of left-wing protests, including a planned pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day this Saturday.

Tell us if Suella Braverman should resign over pro-Palestine march row

Home secretary under fire as Armistice Day arrives

07:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Home Secretary Suella Braverman remains under fire from all sides after her allegations of bias were disowned by Downing Street and criticised by the Police Federation.

The allegations of police bias, made by the Home Secretary in The Times, followed pressure from senior Tories on Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to ban a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected take to the streets of London for the march, which coincides with Armistice Day.

In her opinion piece, Mrs Braverman had written that “pro-Palestinian mobs” are “largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law”, while aggressive right-wing protesters are met with a stern response by officers, whom she accused of “double standards”.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt distanced himself from her comments, signalling Cabinet unease by telling reporters “the words that she used are not words that I myself would have used”.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the Prime Minister “has confidence” in Mrs Braverman, but did not rule out a Cabinet reshuffle.

(PA Wire)

Braverman ‘fanning flames of hate’ towards Muslims over march row, cross-party MPs warn

04:01 , Andy Gregory

Suella Braverman has been accused of “fanning the flames of hate” towards Muslims after her attacks on pro-Palestine rallies prompted a furious outcry over concerns she is fuelling “hatred and division”.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, a cross-party committee of MPs, hit out at the home secretary’s rhetoric, which has seen her describe the demonstrations as “hate marches”, warning she is “inspiring far-right” to engage in Islamophobia.

Our race correspondent Nadine White has the full report:

Braverman ‘fanning flames of hate’ towards Muslims over march row, MPs warn

Former top civil servant unable to see how Sunak has confidence in Braverman

03:04 , Andy Gregory

The former top civil servant in the Home Office has said he does not understand how Rishi Sunak could continue to have confidence in Suella Braverman after her claims of police bias over pro-Palestine protests.

Sir David Normington, who was permanent secretary in the Home Office from 2005 until 2011, told BBC Radio 4: “There are 2,000 ordinary police officers who will be on the streets doing a very difficult job this weekend.

“They have the right to expect the Home Secretary to be supporting them. Instead, she seems to be undermining them and actually making things worse. And that’s just not the job of the home secretary. I hear the prime minister has confidence in her. I don’t know how he can.”

The ex-mandarin said he “despaired” about her piece for The Times, adding: “She’s tried to interfere with the operational independence of the police. She’s accused them of partiality in the way they police demonstrations. She’s used inflammatory language. She’s even made some absolutely crass comments and comparisons about Northern Ireland.

“That’s at least four reasons why she’s unsuitable to be home secretary.”

Are protests putting veterans off attending the Cenotaph this weekend?

02:02 , Andy Gregory

Fears over far-right groups and pro-Palestinian protesters clashing this weekend have left some veterans making the decision to stay away from Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London.

Liz McConaghy, now 41, was the longest-serving female crewman on the Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet. She evacuated thousands of soldiers out of Afghanistan in her 17-year career and has now decided to skip the event.

“I think it is still divided with the veterans. Lots of people are going to stand their ground. I think a lot will go just to prove a point but it should be about remembering.

“I think people need to go for the right reasons. We can see everything that has been going on in London this week and we just feel a bit abandoned by our country. It’s our one day of the year and it is time to get behind us. We all feel a bit abandoned and disillusioned this week.”

My colleague Barney Davis has the full report:

‘The act of remembering has got lost’: Veterans on protest and attending the Cenotaph

Police Federation hits out at Braverman’s ‘ill-informed criticism from the sidelines’

01:03 , Andy Gregory

The Police Federation has warned that police will have a hard enough job this weekend without “ill-informed criticism from the sidelines”, following Suella Braverman’s claims in The Times of a public perception of pro-Palestinian bias in policing protests.

Steve Hartshorn, national chair of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: “The policing of protests should be left to those who are charged with that role. They will make a risk assessment based on intelligence available to them and this should be done free of political interference. Our members are the professionals and have been entrusted to fulfil such duties, without fear or favour.

“I encourage all who may attend tomorrow’s march to remain peaceful as is the organisers’ aim. Free peaceful expression of opinions is a cornerstone of our democracy and one we are legally obliged to uphold.

“Officers on the ground are in the unenviable position of having to deal with issues in real time and without the benefit of hindsight.

“It’s not unusual that intelligence collated in the control room may differ to what officers and the public witness or experience at ground level, meaning that sometimes officers may hold back from taking certain actions in order to maintain or try to preserve public order and safety. Evidence is often gathered, and action taken once situations become less volatile, or after the event even, when it is safer for all.

“This weekend is going to be demanding enough for police officers, without the need for unfair or ill-informed criticism from the sidelines.

“I therefore implore the public attending events, marches and protests this weekend to be respectful and peaceful. And to politicians, please leave operational policing decisions to the police.”

‘Unacceptable’ for Braverman to ‘tamper with police independence’

Friday 10 November 2023 23:59 , Andy Gregory

It is unacceptable for Suella Braverman “to publicly attempt to tamper with the operational independence of policing”, the Police Federation has warned.

Steve Hartshorn, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers, said operational policing decisions must remain independent of political interference.

“It is entirely reasonable that the Home Secretary might raise concerns with senior police leaders in private, it is unacceptable to publicly attempt to tamper with the operational independence of policing,” he said.

“Policing must be free of politics. Operational independence is a key pillar of UK policing and must be respected. Policing does not comment on political manoeuvrings, and we expect to be able to carry out our duties without political interference.”

Exclusive: Pressure on government to act to stop ‘cruel’ incarceration of autistic patients

Friday 10 November 2023 23:02 , Andy Gregory

The government must commit to funding social care and passing its long-delayed Mental Health Bill to prevent a repeat of failures that led to the “cruel and inhuman” treatment of an autistic man locked up for over 10 years, experts and MPs have warned.

The Independent revealed on Thursday the harrowing story of 28-year-old Nicholas Thornton who has lost the ability to walk and speak since being detained in inappropriate hospital and care settings for the past decade.

In the wake of his story, the government has been condemned over his care and for failing to address the issues that have led to thousands of people with learning disabilities and autism being locked away in mental health hospitals for years.

Calls for government to act to stop ‘cruel’ incarceration of autistic patients

Suella Braverman to survive as home secretary this weekend, report suggests

Friday 10 November 2023 22:00 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak is not expected to sack Suella Braverman this weekend, with the prime minister likely to hold back from firing the home secretary while major war commemorations and several potential public order events take place this weekend, the i newspaper reports.

And BBC political correspondent Iain Watson tweeted that: “Downing St says the ‘ongoing internal process’ will continue in to how Suella Braverman’s Times article about police bias got published without No 10 approving the final text.”

NHS medics hold Downing Street vigil for colleagues in Gaza

Friday 10 November 2023 21:01 , Andy Gregory

Hundreds of medical professionals gathered outside Downing Street this evening to hold a vigil for medics killed in Gaza and to urge Rishi Sunak’s government to call for a ceasefire.

Demonstrators are holding placards with the names of those killed during Israel’s intense bombardment of the strip since 7 October, and will be holding a minute’s silence.

Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan, whose group Gaza Medic Voices publishes firsthand accounts from medical staff in Gaza told the BBC from Downing Street: “We have organised this vigil. We are a collective of healthcare professionals – nurses, doctors, surgeons, paramedics, physios – from every walk of the NHS and every walk of life within the NHS.

“We are congregating today because our unified message is that it is unacceptable for healthcare workers in Gaza to be attacked and be killed. We have lost almost 200 of our colleagues – our brothers, our friends, our sisters – in Gaza who work in the healthcare field.

“It is horrific and it is frankly unimagineable to work in those conditions … Enough is enough. A ceasefire needs to happen now. This is unacceptable. The situation is catastrophic. The healthcare system has collapsed.”

Senior Met officer refuses to comment on whether Braverman has undermined the force

Friday 10 November 2023 19:58 , Andy Gregory

The officer in charge of policing London during Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest has refused to comment on whether the home secretary’s comments about police bias has undermined the force.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We’ve got a really difficult weekend this weekend, I’m not going to comment on politics.

“It’s not my place to comment on politics. We will police what we need to police with a robust policing pattern, recognising all of the concerns in our communities and for people coming to London over the weekend, so that we can keep them safe.”

Senior Met officer responds to Braverman ‘favourites’ comments

Friday 10 November 2023 18:59 , Andy Gregory

The senior police officer in charge of policing London during Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest has responded to Suella Braverman’s claim in The Times a perception police “play favourites” towards pro-Palestinian protesters who are “largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law”.

Asked if the home secretary’s comments were accurate, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We’ve been really clear on our policing position this week.

“Our job is to ensure that we police without fear or favour, that we balance the rights of everybody – be that protesters, counter protesters, or people living or coming into London.

“And our job this weekend is to ensure that people are kept safe and that is what my focus is on.”

ICYMI: Jeremy Hunt refuses to back Suella Braverman’s comments on Met Police ‘bias’

Friday 10 November 2023 18:00 , Matt Mathers

Jeremy Hunt distanced himself from Suella Braverman’s comments accusing police of bias over a pro-Palestine protest due to take place on Armistice Day, Holly Patrick reports.

Rishi Sunak faces calls to sack the home secretary after she wrote an article accusing officers of playing favorites over the march.

Downing Street says it is investigating after its demands for changes to the piece were ignored.

“The words that she used are not words that I myself would have used,” the chancellor said on Friday.

“I have a productive relationship with her as a colleague and I have always given her the money that she needs to fund police.”

ICYMI: Ex-Natwest boss Alison Rose stripped of £7.6m over Nigel Farage debanking row

Friday 10 November 2023 17:00 , Matt Mathers

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

Terror police probe fake video of Sadiq Khan spread online by far-right group

Friday 10 November 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

Counter terror police are investigating a fake video of Sadiq Khan in which the London mayor appears to suggest Remembrance weekend commemorations be delayed while pro-Palestinian marches go ahead.

The video, which has been shared by far-right accounts on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, sees a photo of Mr Khan overlaid by what appears to be his voice saying: “What is happening in Gaza is much bigger than this weekend and it is current.”

Archie Mitchell reports:

Terror police probe fake video of Sadiq Khan spread online by far-right group

Tory clamour grows for Sunak to sack Suella — with Dominic Grieve calling for her to be gone by Sunday

Friday 10 November 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

The Tory clamour for Rishi Sunak to sack Suella Braverman is growing, with former attorney general Dominic Grieve calling for her to be gone by Sunday.

As even chancellor Jeremy Hunt distancing himself from the home secretary’s remarks, the PM was under serious pressure to sack Ms Braverman over her controversial article in The Times.

Archie Mitchell reports:

Tory grandee says Suella should go by Sunday as clamour grows for Sunak to sack her

Sunak visits Field of Remembrance

Friday 10 November 2023 15:30 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak paid his respects to the war dead with a visit to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

The prime minister was pictured with wife Akshata Murty at the central London site on Friday afternoon.

(PA)

(PA Wire)

2,000 officers will police protests over Remembrance weekend

Friday 10 November 2023 15:37 , Matt Mathers

Some 2,000 officers will be on duty across London over the weekend to police pro-Palestine marches on remembrance weekend.

The Met Police said it had drawn extensive plans that cover both Armistice and Remembrance events as well as a significant march by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

“We know the cumulative impact continued protest, increasing tensions, and rising hate crimes are having across London and the fear and anxiety our Jewish communities in particular are feeling,” the force said in a statement.

“They have a right to feel safe in their city, knowing know they can travel across London without feeling afraid of intimidation or harassment.

Recognising the concern across London, the scale of the policing operation in place represents a doubling of the number of officers on duty for the weekend’s events. On Saturday 1,850 will be on duty and 1,375 on Sunday.”

A senior police chief has stressed the importance of operational independence amid strong political pressure to ban planned protests during Armistice weekend (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

Half of voters have an unfavourable view of Braverman – poll

Friday 10 November 2023 15:09 , Matt Mathers

More than half of voters have an unfavourable view of Suella Braverman, according to a poll.

For its survey, Ipsos spoke to 1,055 voters between 27 and 30 October – before the latest row over her police comments.

Some 16 per cent of voters said they had a favourable view of the home secretary while 15 per cent said they didn’t know, giving her a net rating of -35 per cent.

(Ipsos)

Constituents write to Tory MPs complaining about Braverman’s inflammatory rhetoric

Friday 10 November 2023 14:49 , Matt Mathers

Tory MPs are receiving complaints from constituents about Suella Braverman’s inflammatory rhetoric, a former minister has said.

Tim Loughton, the MP for Worthing and Shoreham, also accused the home secretary of “plying her own agenda” in open defiance of No 10.

“She’s not making it easy, I have to say,” he told the News Agents podcast when asked if Braverman’s position was now untenable.

“And this needs to come to a head, it’s doing quite a lot of damage. We cannot have senior members of the cabinet, on the face of it, defying No 10 and plying her own agenda.

He added: “And some of the comments she has made have been unhelpful. And many of us are getting emails from constituents to that effect as well, so it needs to stop.”

Tim Loughton MP (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Archive)

‘Did you forget your resignation letter?’

Friday 10 November 2023 14:33 , Matt Mathers

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

Sunak concerns about march persist despite meeting with Met chief – No 10

Friday 10 November 2023 14:10 , Matt Mathers

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.

File photo: Rishi Sunak (PA)

Braverman on personal mission to retoxify Tory brand  – Barwell

Friday 10 November 2023 13:54 , Matt Mathers

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

Friday 10 November 2023 13:26 , Matt Mathers

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

Friday 10 November 2023 13:23 , Matt Mathers

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.

(PA)

Nadine Dorries’ bizarre new book — your guide to the highlights

Friday 10 November 2023 13:00 , Matt Mathers

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

ICYMI: Top civil servant’s foul-mouthed attack on ‘lying’ Matt Hancock at Covid inquiry

Friday 10 November 2023 12:40 , Matt Mathers

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

Ex-Natwest boss Alison Rose stripped of £7.6m over Nigel Farage debanking row

Friday 10 November 2023 12:20 , Matt Mathers

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

Should Suella Braverman resign over pro-Palestine march row? Join The Independent Debate

Friday 10 November 2023 11:56 , Matt Mathers

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

Braverman spotted leaving home as she faces calls to resign

Friday 10 November 2023 11:47 , Matt Mathers

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.

(PA)

(PA)

Tory peer Sayeeda Warsi calls for Suella to be sacked ‘again’

Friday 10 November 2023 11:37 , Matt Mathers

Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi has called for Rishi Sunak to sack Suella Braverman “again” in the national interest, Archie Mitchell reports.

Baroness Warsi said Ms Braverman “needs to focus on her job not her personal political ambitions”.

“She was forced to leave for leaking sensitive documents and should never have been reappointed – she must now be sacked again,” the former Tory chairman added.

Mr Sunak sparked fury when he reappointed Ms Braverman as home secretary just days after she was forced to resign from Liz Truss’s government over a serious security breach.

Right-wing Tories are rallying behind the home secretary

Friday 10 November 2023 11:27 , Matt Mathers

Right-wing Tories have rallied behind the home secretary, warning Rishi Sunak “if you come for her, you come for us”, Archie Mitchell reports.

Suella Braverman’s backers have reminded the prime minister she played a key role in his selection as Tory leader, claiming sacking her will “end very badly for him”.

And they have sought to downplay her remarks as in line with the views of the majority of the country.

Tory MP Miriam Cates mounted a defence of Ms Braverman, telling the BBC her view is “very mainstream in the rest of the UK”.

She said she would “completely disagree” that Ms Braverman was making matters worse with her commentary.

And Ms Cates said we are at a “very serious moment” in British history and instead of talking about Hamas’s terrorist attacks, “we seem to be talking about which version of an article No10 cleared”.

One right-wing Tory MP told the Daily Mail: “There was an operation by the whips to stoke anger against Suella.

“But a large group of MPs on the Right pushed back. The message was simple: ‘Don’t try it, she speaks for us. So if you come for her, you come for us.’”

Royal British Legion backs pro-Palestine demonstrators’ right to protest amid march row

Friday 10 November 2023 11:23 , Matt Mathers

The Royal British Legion has defended pro-Palestinian demonstrators’ right to protest amid a furious row over whether a rally should be allowed to go ahead on Armistice Day.

The RBL has urged protesters to be peaceful and show respect as mourners flock to London this weekend to remember our war dead.

Amy-Clare Martin reports:

Royal British Legion backs pro-Palestine demonstrators’ right to protest

Suella Braverman must resign now

Friday 10 November 2023 11:05 , Matt Mathers

As we just reported, Dominic Grieve has written a comment piece for The Independent in which he heavily criticises Suella Braverman and calls for her to resign.

You can read the article in full here:

Suella Braverman must resign now – Dominic Grieve

Braverman ‘weaponised’ Rememberance Day commemorations for ‘own political ends’

Friday 10 November 2023 10:50 , Matt Mathers

Suella Braverman “weaponised” Remembrance Day commemorations for her “own political ends” and should resign, a former attorney general has said.

Dominic Grieve, the former MP for Beaconsfield, said the home secretary, should not be allowed to “represent us at the Cenotaph on Sunday

In a comment piece for The Independent, Grieve wrote: “This attempted weaponisation shows Braverman to not only be lacking in any understanding of her office or of what freedom under law is about, but to be positively dangerous to the development of common good in our society.

“She is inciting division herself and not acting to calm and curb intemperance and excess, or to modify, by debate, opinions with which she may properly disagree.

“She has sought to create a false narrative that lawfully demonstrating in a march on Armistice Day, about the war in Gaza, is in itself incompatible with being British and part of the collective national remembrance of our war dead.”

(AFP/Getty)

Sunak ‘too weak’ to sack Braverman – Reeves

Friday 10 November 2023 10:35 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak is “too weak” to sack Suella Braverman, Labour’s Rachel Reeves has said.

The shadow chancellor described the home secretary’s comments in a recent newspaper article as “reckless and irresponsible”.

“At a time when the government should be working with our police force, the home secretary is undermining them, and when we should be trying to bring communities together Suella Braverman is dividing them.

“And the prime minister seems to be too weak to take the decisive action that is now needed.”

FIle photo: Rachel Reeves (PA Wire)

‘Nasty and vindictive’ Braverman ‘really needs to go’

Friday 10 November 2023 10:19 , Matt Mathers

The SNP’s Westminster leader has said Suella Braverman is a “nasty and vindictive” politician who “really needs to go”.

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme, Stephen Flynn said Ms Braverman was seeking to direct the police with her comments on protests.

Asked if the Home Secretary should be allowed to scrutinise the police, he said: “There’s a big difference between scrutiny and seeking to give direction to the police.

“Direction which, as I understand it … would break the law. This is a very dangerous moment and the Home Secretary really needs to go.”

“My own view on Suella Braverman is well known.

“I think she’s an incredibly nasty and vindictive politician, someone who attacks the most marginalised in society on a daily basis.”

He said people who wanted to protest peacefully this weekend should be allowed to do so.

The SNP’s Westminster leader welcomed the reports (House of Commons/PA) (PA Wire)

Tory MP defends Braverman’s ‘mainstream’ views

Friday 10 November 2023 10:06 , Matt Mathers

Rightwing Conservative MP Miriam Cates defended Suella Braverman after the home secretary suggested police “play favourites” with pro-Palestinian protesters.

“I think the home secretary has a view that is very mainstream in the rest of the UK,” she told BBC R4’s Today programme.

She said she would “completely disagree” that Braverman was making matters worse with her commentary.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, another Conservative MP, earlier told the programme Braverman had been “unwise” to share the comments she made about the police in the Times op-ed.

Miriam Cates MP said the group was ‘launching a movement to make sure those 2019 voters give us the support we need to win again next time’ (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Wire)

Sunak risks mutiny on right of party if he sacks Braverman – report

Friday 10 November 2023 09:56 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has been warned of a mutiny on the Tory right if he presses ahead with sacking Suella Braverman.

“There was an operation by the whips to stoke anger against Suella,” one of the home secretary’s allies told the Daily Mail.

“But a large group of MPs on the right pushed back. The message was simple: ‘Don’t try it, she speaks for us. So if you come for her, you come for us’.’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure to sack Home Secretary Suella Braverman (PA) (PA Wire)

Braverman ‘guilty’ of using ‘everyday language’ – Anderson

Friday 10 November 2023 09:46 , Matt Mathers

Lee Anderson has weighed into the Suella Braverman row, saying the home secretary is “guilty” of nothing other than using “everyday language used by everyday people”.

In a post on X in which he took a swipe at Labour MPs for describing “Hamas or Hezbollah as friends”, the red wall MP said, “thank goodness we have a home secretary who refuses to be cancelled.”

“But Suella is guilty. Guilty of saying what most of us are thinking and saying,” the Tory Party deputy chair said.

“Thank goodness we have a Home Secretary who refuses to be cancelled. She is using everyday language used by everyday people. Labour MPs would know this if they got out more. “

Jeremy Hunt: ‘I would not have used those words’

Friday 10 November 2023 09:36 , Matt Mathers

Jeremy Hunt distanced himself from controversial comments made by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Archie Mitchell reports.

With pressure growing for Rishi Sunak to fire his home secretary, the chancellor told reporters: “As many other Cabinet ministers have said, the words that she used are not words that I myself would have used.

“But I have a productive relationship with her as a colleague and I have always given her the money that she needs to fund police, bring down crime and to fund the immigration and asylum system.”

Watch a clip of Hunt’s interview here:

Braverman’s position ‘untenable’, senior Tory says

Friday 10 November 2023 09:26 , Matt Mathers

Suella Braverman’s position as home secretary has become untenable, a senior Tory has said.

Bob Neill, chair of the justice committee, said Ms Braverman’s police comments had “gone over the line”.

“Yes I think it is,” he told LBC’s Andrew Marr when asked if the home secretary’s position was untenable.

“I think she’s gone over the line and I was wondering about that earlier today [Thursday].

“I hoped she might not have done but its part of a history of ill-judgement and loose words.”

Conservative MP and Justice Committee chairman Sir Bob Neill (PA) (PA Media)

Top Tory: ‘We cannot carry on as we are… completely unacceptable’

Friday 10 November 2023 09:16 , Matt Mathers

A senior Tory has said Rishi Sunak should have a “very serious conversation” with Suella Braverman because “we cannot carry on as we are”, Archie Mitchell reports.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, treasurer of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs, said Ms Braverman’s behaviour is “completely unacceptable”.

Sir Geoffrey told the BBC the PM should seek an undertaking from Ms Braverman that she will handle similar situations in private in future, or consider replacing her as home secretary.

He said: “On a number of levels the article was unwise. I think these matters of differences of opinion between the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police commissioner, are best carried out in private and not elevated to the public domain like this.

“The article was unprecedented.”

128 people arrested in London on suspicion of hate crimes since war broke

Friday 10 November 2023 08:50 , Matt Mathers

The Metropolitan Police has said a total of 188 people have been arrested on suspicion of hate crimes since the Hamas-Israel broke out.

Of these 98 were suspected anti-semitic offences, 21 are alleged Islamophobic offences and a further 12 are believed to be faith hate crimes.

In addition, 57 were public order offences, including many which are racially aggravated.

Commander Paul Trevers, who is responsible for criminal justice outcomes, said: “This is a challenging time for communities in London.

“We continue to see a very concerning rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate crime. This is absolutely unacceptable.

“No-one should be subjected to hate because of their faith or race, and we are taking action against those who are offending.

“In some cases, our officers have taken accounts of extremely shocking and hateful abuse as well as acts of violence.

“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to build strong cases against those who offend.

“We continue to work extremely closely with our faith communities and we know the impact on them is not diminishing.”

Israel must protect Palestinians in the West Bank – UN rights chief

Friday 10 November 2023 08:40 , Matt Mathers

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday that Israel must take immediate measures to protect Palestinians in the West Bank as they find themselves targeted by more violence since the conflict with Hamas erupted last month.

“I also appeal, as a matter of urgency, for Israeli authorities to take immediate measures, to take steps to ensure the protection of Palestinians in the West Bank, who are being on a daily basis subjected to violence from Israeli forces and settlers, ill treatment, arrests, evictions, intimidation and humiliation,” Volker Turk told reporters in the Jordanian capital of Amman.

Volker Turk (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Al-Quds hospital about to run out of fuel – PRCS

Friday 10 November 2023 08:25 , Matt Mathers

The Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza has less than 24 hours of fuel remaining, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has said.

The aid organisation said the hospital was forced to scale back all its services on Thursday to conserve supplies.

The area around the hospital has come under sustained, heavy bombardment in recent days.

“Urgent international aid is needed due to isolation caused by intense bombardment and closed roads for the fourth day,” PRCS said in a statement.

Drone launched from Syria hits school in Israel – IDF

Friday 10 November 2023 08:15 , Matt Mathers

A drone launched from Syria hit a school in the southern city of Eilat, Israel’s military has said.

The Israeli Defense Force said it had “struck” back at the organisation that carried out the attack on Thursday.

“The IDF holds the Syrian regime fully responsible for every terror activity emanating from its territory,” it said in a statement.

“We will respond to every aggression against Israel.”

The IDF did not name the organisation and it was not immediately clear if there were any injuries or fatalities.

Expansion of war ‘inevitable’, Iran foreign minister says

Friday 10 November 2023 08:05 , Matt Mathers

Iran warned the scale of civilian suffering caused by Israel’s war on Hamas would inevitably lead to an expansion of the conflict, as officials in Gaza reported Israeli air strikes on or near several hospitals in the Palestinian enclave.

The comments from Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian could ramp up concerns over whether Washington’s diplomatic efforts and deployment of US naval forces to the eastern Mediterranean will be able to keep the conflict from further destabilising the Middle East.

“Due to the expansion of the intensity of the war against Gaza’s civilian residents, expansion of the scope of the war has become inevitable,” Amir-Abdollahian told his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Thursday night.

Iran’s state-run Press TV reported the comments, made during a telephone conversation, on Friday.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (AFP via Getty Images)

Education minister dodges questions on Braverman’s future

Friday 10 November 2023 07:50 , Matt Mathers

The education minister repeatedly dodged questions on whether Rishi Sunak still has full confidence in Suella Braverman following claims she made about the Met Police.

Robert Halfon said it was up to the prime minister to decide who served as his home secretary.

“What I’m saying is what the government’s focus is on, is ensuring that the remembrance services go ahead peacefully,” he told Sky News when asked about the future of his colleague.

Reports say Braverman could be sacked or moved in an upcoming reshuffle after claiming that the Met was biased in how it polices protests and comparing pro-Palestine demonstrations to marches in Northern Ireland.

Archie Mitchell has the full report:

Tory minister repeatedly refuses to say PM has confidence in Suella Braverman

Sack Suella Braverman now or look weak, George Osborne tells Rishi Sunak over police bias row

Friday 10 November 2023 07:38 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has been warned by George Osborne that he risks looking weak unless he sacks Suella Braverman, after an extraordinary row erupted over the home secretary’s incendiary claim that the police are biased.

Ms Braverman’s 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.

Kate Devlin and Adam Forrest report:

Sack Suella Braverman now or look weak, George Osborne tells PM

Watch: Braverman has lost Tories’ support, Labour MP claims

Friday 10 November 2023 07:00 , Jane Dalton

Suella Braverman lost Tories’ support with Met police bias comment, says Chris Bryant

Watch: View of south Gaza as thousands flee Israeli-Hamas fighting in north

Friday 10 November 2023 06:20 , Jane Dalton

Watch: View of south Gaza as thousands flee Israeli-Hamas fighting in north

Sunak faces calls to sack Braverman after row over Met criticism sign-off

Friday 10 November 2023 06:00 , Shweta Sharma

Rishi Sunak is under pressure to sack Suella Braverman after she defied Downing Street by publishing an article accusing police of bias over protests in support of Palestine.

Her claim that there is a perception some senior officers “play favourites”, only the latest inflammatory comment by the Home Secretary in recent days, has prompted frustration and unease among Conservative MPs and sparked calls for the prime minister to sack her after she failed to get Number 10 to sign off the Times piece.

Downing Street was still investigating on Thursday night the “details” about how the article, which also contained a widely-criticised comparison between “pro-Palestinian mobs” and marches in Northern Ireland, was still sent for publication.

Sunak faces calls to sack Braverman after row over Met criticism sign-off

Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee, White House says

Friday 10 November 2023 05:30 , Shweta Sharma

Israel has agreed to put in place four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its assault on Hamas in northern Gaza, the White House said.

Joe Biden had asked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to institute the daily pauses during a Monday call and said he had also asked the Israelis for a pause of at least three days to allow for hostage negotiations.“Yes,” Mr Biden said, when asked whether he had asked Israel for a three-day pause. “I’ve asked for even a longer pause for some of them.” He added there was “no possibility” of a formal cease-fire at the moment, and said it had “taken a little longer” than he hoped for Israel to agree to the humanitarian pauses.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the Israelis had committed to announcing each four-hour window at least three hours in advance. Israel, he said, also was opening a second corridor for civilians to flee the areas that are the current focus of its military campaign against Hamas, with a coastal road joining the territory’s main north-south highway.

Israel to begin daily four-hour ‘tactical pauses’ in northern Gaza

Friday 10 November 2023 05:30 , Jane Dalton

Israel is to begin daily four-hour pauses in its military campaign against Hamas in northern Gaza to allow residents to flee south, along with two humanitarian corridors, the White House has said:

Israel to begin daily four-hour ‘tactical pauses’ in northern Gaza – but no ceasefire

Israel strikes near three children hospitals in Gaza, officials say

Friday 10 November 2023 05:00 , Shweta Sharma

Israel launched air strikes around at least three hospitals this morning further stressing the Palestinian enclave’s precarious health system as it struggles to cope with thousands of people wounded or displaced in Israel‘s war against Hamas militants.

“The Israeli occupation launched simultaneous strikes on a number of hospitals during the past hours”, Gaza Ministry of Health spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra told Al Jazeera television.

The medical facilities included Gaza’s biggest hospital, Al Shifa, where Israel said Hamas has hidden command centres and tunnels, allegations Hamas denies.

Mr Qidra said Israel targeted the Gaza City medical complex’s courtyard and there were casualties, but he did not provide details.

Gaza’s hospitals have struggled to care for victims as medical supplies, clean water and fuel to power generators run out.

Gaza’s health ministry has said 18 of Gaza’s 35 hospitals and 40 other health centres were out of service either due to damage from bombardment or lack of fuel.

Palestinian media published video footage of Al Shifa showing the aftermath of an Israeli attack on a parking lot where displaced Palestinians were sheltered and journalists were observing.

A pool of blood could be seen next to the body of a man being placed on a stretcher.

Sunak must fire Braverman, says Labour former home secretary

Friday 10 November 2023 04:30 , Jane Dalton

Former Labour home secretary Jack Straw said Rishi Sunak must sack Suella Braverman after her “extraordinary” attack on the police.

“He needs to fire her,” the New Labour grandee told The Independent.

“He needs to shows he understands there is a line to be drawn and uphold the independence of the police.”

Mr Straw said: “Picking a fight with Britain’s most senior police officer is an extraordinary and astonishing thing for a home secretary to do – it’s unheard of and shows a fundamental lack of judgement. And failing to sack her would be further evidence of a lack of judgment by him.

“If she thinks right-wing demonstrators get different treatment to left-wing ones, she needs to go into a dark room and lie down. She is out of her depth. She has been thrashing around in frustration at her failure to have any sensible impact in the job.”

(PA)

Police chief defends rights to make independent operational decisions amid row

Friday 10 November 2023 04:00 , Shweta Sharma

One of the UK’s most senior police officers has defended the police’s rights to make independent operational decisions amid intense political pressure linked to allegation of bias over Armistice weekend protests.

Gavin Stephens, who is chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), said that political views could dictate the decision making of police forces.

His comments came after the head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, refused to ban a pro-Palestine protest in central London on Saturday, despite pointed public comments by the prime minister and home secretary.

Mr Stephens said: “In policing we need the space to make difficult operational decisions in an independent manner.

“That space is set out very clearly in law in the Policing Protocol Order which was refreshed earlier this year.

“The decisions that we take are not easy ones, but we do so impartially, without fear or favour, and in line with both the law and our authorised professional practice.”

Speaking to journalists ahead of the national demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, Mr Stephens said he considers it one of his civic responsibilities to use language carefully and not stoke up community tensions.

Israeli forces approach key Gaza hospital

Friday 10 November 2023 03:30 , Jane Dalton

Israel’s military is closing in on central Gaza City and its main al-Shifa Hospital, where Israel claims Hamas fighters have a command centre, raising questions about how Israel will interpret international laws on protection of medical facilities and the thousands of displaced people sheltering there.

Israel has not outlined its possible plans for the hospital but says its top priority is dismantling Hamas’ command infrastructure.

Combat engineers are using explosives to destroy tunnels in the Islamist group’s vast underground network, Israel says.

Any Israeli attempt to seize al-Shifa, where video this week showed doctors scrambling to treat an influx of injured people, would risk heavy civilian losses.

Smoke rises as displaced Palestinians take shelter at Al Shifa hospital (REUTERS)

Editorial: Braverman has gone too far

Friday 10 November 2023 02:30 , Jane Dalton

The Independent view: A reshuffle is approaching, and Mr Sunak could take advantage of that to retire Ms Braverman. A smart move would be to replace her with someone who has many of the same instincts as she has, but at least respects the conventions of the constitution and the independence of the courts and the police:

Editorial: Suella Braverman has gone too far – we must protect the rule of law

Pro-Palestinian protest divides public opinion

Friday 10 November 2023 01:30 , Jane Dalton

A pro-Palestinian protest on Armistice Day has divided public opinion, with some saying it is “absolutely appropriate” to call for a ceasefire in Gaza while others have said they are “very wary” to enter central London:

Pro-Palestinian protest on Armistice Day divides public opinion

Anti-Boris plotters will stop Braverman becoming leader, says Nadine Dorries

Friday 10 November 2023 00:30 , Jane Dalton

Nadine Dorries has said Suella Braverman “becomes a martyr for those on the right of the party” if Rishi Sunak sacks her.

She claimed that the people who lead the Conservative Party, who plotted against Boris Johnson, have been “grooming Kemi Badenoch for years”.

“They won’t allow Suella to succeed. She will never get there,” she said.

Ms Badenoch has met Israeli mothers whose children were kidnapped by Hamas last month.

Braverman’s position ‘untenable’ – senior Tory

Friday 10 November 2023 09:22 , Matt Mathers

Suella Braverman’s position as home secretary has become untenable, a senior Tory has said.

Bob Neill, chair of the justice committee, said Ms Braverman’s police comments had “gone over the line”.

“Yes I think it is,” he told LBC’s Andrew Marr when asked if the home secretary’s position was untenable.

“I think she’s gone over the line and I was wondering about that earlier today [Thursday].

“I hoped she might not have done but it’s part of a history of ill-judgement and loose words.”

Conservative MP Bob Stewart has been charged with racially abusing a man he allegedly told to ‘go back to Bahrain’ (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA) (PA Media)

Braverman ally denies home secretary defied Sunak

Thursday 9 November 2023 23:25 , Jane Dalton

Right-wing Tory MP Miriam Cates defended Suella Braverman, claiming she wasn’t defying Rishi Sunak.

Ms Cates said she was “reflecting very much the public mood”.

The Braverman ally told Times Radio: “I think most people would like to think that politicians are allowed to have independent thought. She has not in any way criticised government policy.

“She has not in any way undermined collective responsibility. She’s shown that she’s a free-thinking leader who has opinions.”

Suspicions Michael Gove could replace Braverman

Thursday 9 November 2023 22:40 , Jane Dalton

Westminster is awash with speculation that Michael Gove could become home secretary if Rishi Sunak decides to sack Suella Braverman.

The levelling-up secretary is said to be keen on one of the great offices of state before the likely election defeat to Labour next year.

Opinion: Don’t ban things just because you don’t like them

Thursday 9 November 2023 21:59 , Jane Dalton

Ex-Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson says Saturday’s pro-Palestinian march should be allowed to go ahead – regardless of Saturday being Armistice Day, and even though he personally finds it insensitive:

As an ex-Met chief, I say: You can’t ban things just because you don’t like them

Irish politicians condemn Braverman after Ulster comments

Thursday 9 November 2023 21:27 , Jane Dalton

Northern Irish officials across the political divide have hit out at Suella Braverman for her apparent comparisons between the pro-Palestinian demonstrations and Orange Order marches:

Irish politicians condemn Suella Braverman after Ulster comments

Braverman ‘allowed’ to criticise police, says Lee Anderson

Thursday 9 November 2023 20:56 , Jane Dalton

Tory deputy chair Lee Anderson has defended Ms Braverman, and claimed she was “allowed” to criticise the police.

“She is allowed to comment on and criticise the Met Police. Anyone who thinks her comments are outrageous needs to get out more,” he told the Express.

The Common Sense Group run by Ms Braverman’s mentor John Hayes also defended her. The group’s deputy chairman Tom Hunt said: “I agree with the home secretary.”

Israel to set up humanitarian corridors

Thursday 9 November 2023 20:27 , Jane Dalton

The US says there will be two humanitarian corridors allowing people to flee areas of hostilities in northern Gaza.

State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said the Rafah crossing was open for aid trucks to enter Gaza and foreign nationals to depart.

He said it was critical humanitarian supplies and assistance be expanded in the areas where people are moving.

The corridors are as well as four-hour pauses in fighting.

Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee, White House says

Braverman accused of inciting far-right to challenge pro-Palestinian march

Thursday 9 November 2023 20:10 , Jane Dalton

Suella Braverman has been accused by a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent of “emboldening” far right groups to stage counter protests:

Braverman accused of inciting far-right groups to challenge pro-Palestine march

Far-right groups and football hooligans ‘to descend on London during march’

Thursday 9 November 2023 19:51 , Jane Dalton

Far-right groups and football hooligans are preparing to descend on London on Armistice Day as hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march through the capital:

Far-right groups and football hooligans ‘to descend on London during Palestine march’

Two people arrested after Rochdale Cenotaph daubed with ‘free Palestine’ graffiti

Thursday 9 November 2023 19:30 , Jane Dalton

Two people have been arrested after a cenotaph was daubed with the words ‘Free Palestine’:

Two arrested after Rochdale Cenotaph daubed with ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti

Braverman comments not helpful, says senior Tory

Thursday 9 November 2023 19:10 , Jane Dalton

Senior Tory backbencher Tim Loughton has added to mounting criticism of the home secretary, branding her comments “not helpful” and urging the government to let Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley “get on with the job”.

Mr Loughton told Times Radio: “I haven’t full confidence in some of the comments she’s been making about the demonstrations.”

Opinion: Braverman isn’t a pantomime villain – she’s dangerous

Thursday 9 November 2023 18:51 , Jane Dalton

The home secretary is undermining the police, eroding the right to protest, encouraging Islamophobia, stirring up hatred and effectively encouraging violence on the streets, writes Sean O’Grady. Her language is defiantly extreme and, it seems, designed to provoke fear and anger:

Suella Braverman isn’t just some ‘pantomime villain’ – she’s dangerous

Politicians not there to dictate to police, says Patel

Thursday 9 November 2023 18:30 , Jane Dalton

Ms Braverman’s predecessor as home secretary, Priti Patel, said it was vital to respect the “operational independence” of the police when trying to make sure Covid regulations were enforced – in an apparent dig at her successor.

The ex-home secretary told the Covid inquiry: “Throughout the pandemic I felt that I spent a great deal of time reminding my colleagues of the role of policing … and also operational independence, and that we as politicians are not there to dictate directly to the police as to when to arrest people and enforce the law.”

(PA)

Braverman, Tory right standard-bearer, faces doubtful future

Thursday 9 November 2023 18:20 , Jane Dalton

The furore over the home secretary’s comments is just the latest in a long line of rows centred on a minister who has often appeared to be a loose cannon:

Suella Braverman, Tory right standard bearer, again faces doubtful future

Israel to begin four-hour pauses in Gaza fighting, US says

Thursday 9 November 2023 18:05 , Jane Dalton

Israel will begin four-hour pauses in northern Gaza starting today to allow people to flee hostilities, the White House said, in what it called a step in the right direction.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the pauses emerged out of discussions between US and Israeli officials in recent days, including talks US president Joe Biden had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mr Kirby said the pauses would allow people to get out of harm’s way and for deliveries of humanitarian aid and could be used as a way to get hostages out.

“We’ve been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas over the duration of the pause, and that this process is starting today,” Mr Kirby said.

Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City on Thursday (REUTERS)

Protester charged with supporting Hamas near No 10

Thursday 9 November 2023 17:51 , Jane Dalton

Terror prosecutors have charged a demonstrator with supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas during a Downing Street protest.

Urslaan Khan, 41, from east London, is accused of expressing an opinion supportive of the proscribed terrorist organisation close to Number 10 on October 17.

He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 17.

Five people arrested after Scottish Parliament protest

Thursday 9 November 2023 17:30 , Jane Dalton

Five people have been arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters scaled up part of the Scottish Parliament building and unfurled a banner.

The group had attached a Palestinian flag to the awning above the main entrance, along with a banner reading “stop arming Israel”.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Five people have been arrested following protest activity on a roof area of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh which took place on Thursday, November 9, 2023.”

(PA)

Sacking home secretary would show strength, says ex-chancellor

Thursday 9 November 2023 17:04 , Jane Dalton

George Osborne has said sacking Suella Braverman would let Rishi Sunak “demonstrate strength” and help him in his bid to be the “change candidate”.

Speaking on his Political Currency podcast, the ex-chancellor said: “The kind of classic political logic now would say, you can’t fire her, you’ll have a big Tory rebellion, she’s too powerful, you’re too weak at the moment to pull that off.

“But there’s another way of looking at it, which is – you’re 20 points behind in the polls, your personal ratings aren’t great. How can you demonstrate strength? How can you demonstrate a gutsy approach? How can you be the change candidate that you say you want to be?

“And if he fired her, there would be a big row, there would be a lot of fireworks. But ultimately, prime ministers tend to win those encounters because the home secretary will suddenly become a backbencher.”

Tory deputy chair condemns ‘dangerous’ Braverman remarks

Thursday 9 November 2023 16:45 , Jane Dalton

MP Nickie Aiken, a deputy chair of the Conservative Party, said Ms Braverman’s comments were dangerous.

“The police should never be involved in politics, and politicians should never get involved in policing operations. The police must police without fear or favour, and it is a very dangerous precedent to state otherwise,” she told The Guardian.

“These protests should not be stopped by political whim.”

Downing Street declines to give views on Braverman

Thursday 9 November 2023 16:38 , Jane Dalton

Downing Street has declined to offer any update on Suella Braverman after the publication of her controversial article accusing police of “playing favourites” with pro-Palestinian protesters.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said No 10 was still looking into what happened after the article was published without getting sign-off from Downing Street.

She declined to say when there might be an update or whether it was a breach of the ministerial code.

Rishi Sunak today hosted a reception in Downing Street to celebrate Diwali.

(via REUTERS)

Starmer stands by rejection of ceasefire call

Thursday 9 November 2023 16:25 , Jane Dalton

Sir Keir Starmer has said his rejection of calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East still stands after a Labour frontbencher resigned in protest.

The Labour leader admitted his party was divided on the issue but said there was unity in “condemning the terrorist attack by Hamas” and “being clear about Israel’s right to self-defence”.

Imran Hussain MP said he was quitting his role as a shadow minister to be able to “strongly advocate” for a cessation of hostilities.

Sir Keir said: “There is a division on whether we should call for a humanitarian pause, which is my position as I’ve set out very, very clearly, and some who think we should have a ceasefire, which again I’ve rejected very clearly.

“But this is not a usual political divide because what people are yearning for is a reduction of the terrible events that we’re seeing, the innocent deaths we’re seeing in Gaza, and that’s why a humanitarian pause is so important.”

Tory whips ‘ringing MPs to ask views on Braverman’

Thursday 9 November 2023 16:13 , Jane Dalton

Journalist Christopher Hope of GB News said Tory MPs have told him that government whips are now ringing round backbenchers to ask for their views on Suella Braverman’s comments.

Which suggests she is in serious trouble, writes political correspondent Adam Forrest.

Labour ask Sunak whether Braverman broke ministerial code

Thursday 9 November 2023 16:05 , Jane Dalton

A Labour MP has written to the prime minister highlighting how No 10 did not clear Ms Braverman’s article before it was sent.

Pat McFadden asked Mr Sunak both whether it was a breach of the ministerial code and what he would do about it, adding: “To say that the article was not cleared and then do nothing about it would strip you of all authority over the home secretary and leave her free to continue to do and say whatever she likes with no fear of sanction from you.”

It would be a display of weakness and “an extraordinary situation” for a government, Mr McFadden said.

IDF strike Lebanon building ‘used by Hezbollah militants’

Thursday 9 November 2023 15:50 , Jane Dalton

Watch:

IDF strikes building in Lebanon they claim Hezbollah militants used

Home Office minister says police discussions should be private

Thursday 9 November 2023 15:35 , Jane Dalton

A Home Office minister has waded into the row over the policing of protests, telling parliament that “in a perfect world” such conversations should be held in private and insisting Scotland Yard was “doing a good job”.

Lord Sharpe’s comments appear to put him at odds with Suella Braverman, who wrote a less-than-private article in The Times accusing the Metropolitan Police of “applying a double standard” to how it deals with demonstrations.

Home secretary unfit for office, claims Palestine Solidarity leader

Thursday 9 November 2023 15:15 , Jane Dalton

The director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign claims Ms Braverman’s arguments are “further evidence of her unfitness for office”.

Ben Jamal accused the home secretary of trying to “delegitimise” calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and “support for the rights of the Palestinian people by defaming those marching for peace as ‘hateful’ and terrorist sympathisers”.

He added: “Rishi Sunak bears responsibility for her being in office and for his own irresponsible remarks which have added to a climate of division and greenlighted far-right activists seeking to disrupt people’s right to protest.

“Hundred of thousands of people will ignore these efforts at intimidation and march for peace and justice on November 11.”

The Independent has asked the Home Office to respond.

No 10 contradicts home secretary over police bias claim

Thursday 9 November 2023 14:56 , Jane Dalton

A Downing Street official spokesman has contradicting Suella Braverman’s claims of police bias, saying: “The Prime Minister continues to believe that the police will operate without fear or favour.”

But Mr Sunak still has full confidence in the Home Secretary, the spokesman said.

He declined to offer judgment on whether she broke the ministerial code, which states that “all major interviews and media appearances, both print and broadcast, should also be agreed with the No 10 press office”.

Watch: Sunak too weak to sack Braverman, says Keir Starmer

Thursday 9 November 2023 14:40 , Jane Dalton

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website