‘I did nothing untoward’ insists Suella amid claims of stitch-up
SUELLA Braverman yesterday dismissed claims of wrongdoing over her handling of a speeding offence as the Prime Minister considered whether or not to launch a formal investigation.
The Home Secretary was accused of involving civil servants to help her arrange a private speed awareness course. But some allies have called the furore a “stitch-up and a witch hunt”.
Ms Braverman insisted she did “nothing untoward” and had not tried to evade a sanction for breaking the speed limit.
Rishi Sunak spent yesterday consulting his ethics adviser and in talks with the minister to get to the bottom of the incident.
He told the Commons: “I have always been clear that where issues like this are raised, they should be dealt with properly and they should be dealt with professionally.
“Since I have returned from the G7, I have been receiving information on the issues raised, I have met with both the independent adviser and with the Home Secretary. I have asked for further information and I will update in due course.” The Home Secretary admitted speeding, paid a fine and took the penalty points. But she did not deny asking officials for help in trying to arrange a one-to-one speed awareness course instead of joining others on the programme. Ms Braverman, who yesterday visited
The Lighthouse, a child health care centre in London, said: “Last summer, I was speeding. I regret that. I paid the fine and I took the points. I’m confident that nothing untoward has happened.”
The offence took place last year when Ms Braverman was serving as Attorney General.
Mr Sunak spoke to Sir Laurie Magnus, his independent adviser on ministers’ interests, who can only begin an investigation with the Prime Minister’s authorisation.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Braverman should resign if she is found to have broken the ministerial code. But Conservative MPs said the row is a “stitch-up” by civil servants who want to oust Ms Braverman.
Tom Hunt said: “Clearly there is a witch hunt going on. It has been whipped up by people who don’t agree with her views on migration, which are views shared by the majority of the British public.” And Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “This is not a big story.” He said sometimes ministers ask for something that civil servants can’t do.
He added: “But as long as, once they’ve said no, you accept it, then you haven’t done anything wrong.”