Rishi Sunak sacks Suella Braverman and replaces her with James Cleverly
Suella Braverman’s claims of police bias not signed off by Downing Street
Rishi Sunak has sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman and replaced her with former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
The brutal move, set to infuriate the right of the Conservative Party, sparks a long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle and comes after days of speculation about Ms Braverman’s future, following an enormous row about whether a hardline op-ed in the Times had been cleared by No. 10.
A spokesman for the PM said: “Rishi Sunak has asked Suella Braverman to leave the Government and she has accepted”.
Ms Braverman had been causing numerous headaches for the Prime Minister, including a policy of tearing down homeless people’s tents and describing the pro-Palestine protests as “hate marches”.
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James Cleverly confirmed as new Home Secretary
“The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP as Secretary of State for the Home Department.”
Health Minister Neil O’Brien quits
Health minister Neil O’Brien has announced he’s quitting his frontbench job in order to focus on his constituency.
Mr O’Brien had been leading plans to ban young people from smoking.
He said: “It’s been a privilege to serve at DHSC. Great ministerial team & spads and some fab officials”.
“But with so much going on locally I want to focus 100% on constituency work so have asked to go to back benches. I’m also keen to see more of our two small children.”
Schools minister Nick Gibb steps down
Long-serving schools minister Nick Gibb has announced he is leaving government to take up a diplomatic role after the General Election.
“It has been a privilege to serve as Schools Minister for four Prime Ministers. I campaigned for Rishi last Summer and I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the Prime Minister’s leadership.”
Braverman: Home Secretary was ‘greatest privilege of my life’
Speaking following her sacking, Suella Braverman has said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Home Secretary. I will have more to say in due course.”
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Tories already coming out in support of Suella Braverman
Dame Andrea Jenkyns has come out to support the former Home Secretary, accusing the Prime Minister of “caving to the left”.
She said Mrs Braverman had been “sacked for speaking the truth”.
David Cameron spotted going into Number 10
There is speculation David Cameron will be appointed to Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet after the former PM was spotted heading into Downing Street this morning.
There is speculation he may be made the new Foreign Secretary.
The Tories would have to make him a member of the House of Lords for this to happen.
James Cleverly appointed new Home Secretary
The former Foreign Secretary has replaced Suella Braverman.
Lib Dems respond saying only Rishi Sunak’s ‘cowardice’ kept Suella Braverman in job so long
Responding to the news that Suella Braverman has been sacked, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “Suella Braverman was never fit to be Home Secretary. Rishi Sunak knew this and he still appointed her.
“It was the Prime Minister’s sheer cowardice that kept her in the job even for this long. We are witnessing a broken party and a broken government, both of which are breaking this country.
“This whole sorry saga has shown the Conservative party for what they truly are.
“An unruly mob more focussed on fighting and undermining each other rather than standing up for their constituents and fixing the country that they have broken.
“They need to put us all out of our misery and call a general election now.”
Tories confirm reshuffle is on
In a tweet posted by the official Conservative Party account, they described the reshuffle as the Prime Minister “strengthening his team”.
They said: “HERE WE GO! Today Rishi Sunak strengthens his team in Government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
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