Suella Braverman launched a stinging broadside on Liz Truss’s Government
(Picture: REUTERS)Suella Braverman has dramatically resigned asHo me Secretary after admitting that she sent an “official document” from her personal email in contravention of Government rules.
In a scathing letter attacking Prime Minister Liz Truss, she said that she had “concerns about the direction of this government” and that ministers had broken “key pledges” to voters in a number of policy areas.
It is the latest blow to Ms Truss’s Government following the meltdown of financial markets prompted by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget and his subsequent sacking.
Ms Braverman’s departure will create further headaches for Ms Truss as she struggles to maintain her grip on power. The former Home Secretary was a popular figure on the right of the party and one of Ms Truss’s most prominent backers during the Tory leadership contest.
Ms Truss has now lost two allies from the four great offices of state within her first six weeks in office, with calls mounting for her to step down among Tory MPs.
In her resignation letter, Ms Braverman wrote:
“Dear Prime Minister. It is with the greatest regret I am choosing to tender my resignation.
“Earlier today, I sent an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague as part of policy engagement, and with the aim of gammering support for government policy on migration.
“This constitutes a technical infringement of the rules. As you know, the document was a draft Written Ministerial Statement about migration, due for publication imminently. Much of it had already been briefed to MPs. Nevertheless it is right for me to go.
“As soon as I realised my mistake, I rapidly reported this on official channels, and informed the Cabinet Secretary. As Home Secretary I hold myself to the highest standards and my resignation is the right thing to do. The business of government relies upon people accepting responsibility for their mistakes.
“Pretending we haven't made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone can't see that we have made them, and hoping that things will magically come right is not serious politics. I have made a mistake; I accept responsibility; I resign.”
“It is obvious to everyone that we are going through a tumultuous time. I have concerns about the direction of this government. Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this Government's commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration. particularly the dangerous small boats crossings.
“It has been a great honour to serve at the Home Office. in even the brief time that I have been here, it has been very clear that there is much to do, in terms of delivering on the priorities of the British people.
“They deserve policing they can respect, an immigration policy they want and voted for in such unambiguous numbers at the last election, and laws which serve the public good, and not the interests of selfish protestors.
“I am very grateful to all of my officials, special advisers and ministerial team for all of their help during my time as Home Secretary. I especially would like to pay tribute to the heroic policemen and women and all those who work at Border Force and in our security services.
“To oversee Operation Bridges - the largest policing operation in a generation - was a great honour and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve.”
“I wish my successor good luck.”
