Tory chair apologises for ‘blob of civil servants’ email in Braverman’s name

The Conservative chair, Greg Hands, was said to have given assurances he had taken action to change CCHQ procedures. Photograph: Mark Thomas/Alamy

The Conservative party chair has been forced to apologise to the civil service after an email sent out in Suella Braverman’s name said public servants had frustrated plans to curb small boats crossings.

The home secretary distanced herself from the email sent to thousands of Tory supporters, in which she blamed “an activist blob of leftwing lawyers, civil servants and the Labour party” for the government’s failure to stop Channel crossings.