Suella Braverman will not be sacked over claims she asked civil servants to arrange private speed awareness course
24 May 2023, 10:08 | Updated: 24 May 2023, 11:37
Suella Braverman will not be sacked by Rishi Sunak over claims she asked civil servants to help her avoid attending a speed awareness course.
It follows an exchange between the home secretary and the prime minister, in which Ms Braverman once again "expressed regret" over how she handled arranging a speed awareness course.
In a letter to Mr Sunak, she said she "deeply regrets that my actions may have given rise" to a "perception" that she sought "bespoke arrangements" when organising her speed awareness course.
Responding to her letter, Mr Sunak said: "I am reassured you take these matters seriously.
"You have provided a thorough account, apologised and expressed regret."
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No10 previously said Mr Sunak would consult his independent ethics adviser over the claims.
But a formal investigation will not be launched, Mr Sunak has confirmed, as he added that he believed Ms Braverman had not breached the ministerial code.
He continued: "It is vital that all those in Government maintain the high standards the public rightly expects.
"I know you share this view, just as we are committed to delivering on the issues that matter to the British people - from making our streets safer and reducing net migration to stopping the boats."
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In her letter, Ms Braverman says she was caught speeding in 2022 when she was Attorney General and initially opted to attend a speed awareness course.
When she was appointed home secretary, she says she asked officials in the Home Office whether it would remain "appropriate" to attend the course as a "protected person" - which applies to home secretaries.
"I accept that I was speeding and regret doing so. At no point did I try to avoid sanction," Ms Braverman said.
"My actions were always directed toward finding an appropriate way to participate in the speed awareness course, taking into account my new role as Home Secretary and the necessary security and privacy issues that this raised."
Watch Again: Nick Ferrari joined by Justice Secretary 24/05/23
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said on Wednesday morning that Mr Sunak was taking the correct approach to the handling of allegations against the Home Secretary.
He quoted Charles Dickens' novel Great Expectations as he stressed that Rishi Sunak would consider the evidence.
"I've had a really professional, collaborative relationship with her. We've worked together on the Albania situation. We've got a great result there, which I think is really positive for the British taxpayer.
"We will continue to work collaboratively and professionally in respect of the stop the boats," he told LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast. He said that the PM "has done the right thing" in his handling of the situation.
"These things have to be taken in stages. The Prime Minister is absolutely on this. He's considering it fairly. And let's see where that goes."
Finishing with a quote from the Dickens novel, he said: "Take nothing on looks, take everything on evidence. There's no better rule."
