Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, faces increasing calls to dismiss Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary in charge of policing and national security. Braverman stirred controversy by publishing an article in The Times criticizing the police’s handling of a planned pro-Palestinian march, accusing them of a “double standard” in their treatment of protests.
Braverman’s history of contentious statements, alienating more moderate colleagues, has intensified the demand for her removal. The article, branding pro-Palestinian protests as “hate marches” and “mobs,” prompted some Conservative Party members to distance themselves. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown of the 1922 Committee urged Sunak to consider relocating her, deeming her comments “unwise” and “unprecedented.”
As Sunak grapples with this decision amid his party’s lagging poll numbers, the investigation into the publication of Braverman’s article unfolds. Downing Street is scrutinizing the circumstances, given that changes demanded by Sunak’s office were not reflected in the published piece.
The opposition leader, Keir Starmer, asserts Sunak’s perceived weakness in handling the situation, while Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt distanced himself from Braverman’s remarks. The coming days will reveal whether Sunak will retain or remove the controversial figure from his cabinet.
