Labour demand probe over claims Suella Braverman asked civil servants to help her swerve speeding fine

20 May 2023, 20:58 | Updated: 21 May 2023, 00:18

Labour have called for Rishi Sunak to launch an investigation into claims Suella Braverman asked civil servants to help her avoid getting a fine and points on her license by arranging a private driving awareness course.

The Home Secretary allegedly asked staff to organise a one-on-one course after being caught speeding in the summer of 2022.

It's reported the arrangement would have meant the Ms Braverman would not have to attend a course as normal with other motorists, either in-person or online (where her face would be seen by other participants).

Ms Braverman is said to have initially opted to attend a course in lieu of points and the fine, with sources telling The Times that the cabinet minister, who earns £150,000-a-year, made the decision over concerns that points on her licence would increase her car insurance premium.

But according the outlet, Ms Braverman asked officials to contact the course provider and try to negotiate her receiving a one-on-one session instead.

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Civil servants are said to have refused to do so over concerns they were being asked to become involved in Ms Braverman's personal affairs, and were told not to assist her by the Cabinet Office after asking for advice.

One of Ms Braverman's political aides was then reportedly asked by the Home Secretary to help her, and tried to persuade the provider to undertake the online course using an alias or with her camera switched off, but it refused to do so.

According to the paper, sources close to The Home Secretary said she was unaware that these requests were made on her behalf, and repeatedly refused to comment on whether her motivation had been to reduces the chances a member of the public recognising her.

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Ms Braverman later choose to accept the three points on her licence.

The report has prompted Labour and the Lib Dems to call for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to look into the matter.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called the reports "shocking" called for the PM's Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests Laurie Magnus to look into the claims.

“The home secretary and the prime minister need to both urgently explain what has been going on, including what the prime minister knew when he reappointed her," she said.

“Rishi Sunak was too weak to deal with her the last time she broke the ministerial code, is he still too weak to take action now?

“We need an urgent investigation into what has gone on here, starting with Laurie Magnus seeing how this is possibly compatible with the ministerial code.”

Meanwhile, Alistair Carmichael, the Lib Dems’ home affairs spokesperson, said: “Once again for the Government it’s one rule for them and another for the rest of us.

“Suella Braverman should be urgently investigated by the ethics adviser and add her name to the near endless list of ministers who have had to undergo the same.

“Time and time again we are seeing a conveyor belt of Conservative politicians run roughshod over the rules and drag our politics into the gutter.

“Now, the buck stops with Rishi Sunak himself to stop the endless headlines of sleaze and scandal.”

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A source close to Mrs Braverman told PA news agency that the speeding ticket she received and the arrangements for dealing with that followed were reported to the Cabinet Office at the time.

The Times reports sources close to the Home Secretary dispute that her actions amounted to any breach of the ministerial code, and insist her decision to accept the points on her license resolved the issue.

A source close to the Ms Braverman told the paper: "Ms Braverman accepted three points for a speeding offence which took place last summer.

"The Cabinet Office was notified of this as requested by Ms Braverman. She was not and is not disqualified from driving."

A cabinet spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on the existence of or content of advice between government departments.”