Lee Anderson launches Suella defence as No10 confirms split with PM
Suella Braverman receives warm reception at Express party
Lee Anderson has come to Suella Braverman’s defence as she appeared to be on a collision course with Rishi Sunak.
Downing Street told journalists this morning that they had not cleared a controversial comment piece she wrote for the Times warning of Islamic mobs taking control of Britain’s streets.
It has led to speculation that the Prime Minister could sack her to reassert his authority with some suggesting that Ms Braverman has “become a loose cannon.”
But MPs on the right of the party including Mr Anderson, deputy chairman of the Tories, have rallied to her defence.
Mr Anderson said: “The Home Secretary is only saying what most people are thinking.
“She is allowed to comment on and criticise the Met police. Anyone who thinks her comments are outrageous need to get out more.”
The Common Sense Group founded by her mentor Sir John Hayes also appeared to be preparing to throw its weight behind her.
The group’s deputy chairman Tom Hunt said: “I agree with the Home Secretary.”
The support for her means Mr Sunak risks igniting another Tory civil war if he tries to remove her as Home Secretary.
However, the Downing Street briefing showed that there had been a breakdown in communication between the Home Office and them.
A spokesman said that they are “looking into what happened in this instance around the op-ed”.
He added that the PM “has full confidence” in Ms Braverman, but No. 10 did not clear the op-ed.
He also failed to back her on the points she made about Northern Ireland and appeared to side with Transport Secretary Mark Harper on whether there is bias in the police.
No. 10 confirms they did not sign off Ms Braverman’s article
Downing Street’s official spokesman has confirmed No. 10 did not sign off on Ms Braverman’s words in the Times.
Shortly before this morning’s daily press briefing, multiple outlets claimed Downing Street had requested changes to the piece, but Ms Braverman’s Home Office team ignored them.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman confirmed: “It was not agreed by No. 10″.
He said the PM continues to have full confidence in the Home Secretary, but refused to say whether he agreed with her words in The Times.
The PM’s spokesman also refused to be drawn on whether Ms Braverman has broken the ministerial code, which states “All major interviews and media appearances, both print and broadcast, should also be agreed with the No 10 Press Office”.
However Ms Braverman’s piece did not include policy announcements, nor was it an interview or media appearance so she can argue there was no breach of the code.
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