Suella Braverman resigns as Home Secretary after sending an official document from her personal email in a breach of the security rules for the government.

Suella Braverman has resigned as Home Secretary, bringing more chaos to Prime Minister Liz Truss’ government. The resignation comes after last week’s replacement of Kwasi Kwarteng with Jeremy Hunt as the new Chancellor. Braverman resigned earlier today after sending an official document from her personal email in a breach of the security rules for the government. In a letter sent to the PM, she wrote:

“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 garnering support for government policy on migration. 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.”

“I have made a mistake; I accept responsibility; I resign.” 

Braverman acknowledges the “technical infringement” of the rules, writing that as soon as she realised her mistake she reported it on official channels and informed the Cabinet Secretary. She concedes that resigning is the right thing to do, as Home Secretary she holds herself to the “highest standard.” Braverman was only appointed 43 days ago. Her replacement is reportedly MP Grant Shapps, who backed opponent Rishi Sunak during the contest for Tory leadership. Braverman also expressed “concerns about the direction of this government”, digging at PM Truss’ lack of control over affairs as of late. She wrote:

“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 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 boat crossings.”

She added that the British people “deserve policing they can respect” and an “immigration policy they want and voted for.” Her rhetoric on immigration parallels that of former Home Secretary Priti Patel, taking a harsh stance.

Her resignation letter’s apparent concerns over Truss’ leadership is the latest of blows to the PM, who has been ridiculed over recent U-turns on all of the previous mini-budget proposals. Truss also came under fire today during Prime Minister’s questions. Truss had to reaffirm her commitment to the triple lock on pensions today at PMQs, having agreed the decision with Jeremy Hunt, after Tuesday’s uproar over the refusal to commit to maintaining the policy.  Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had also declined to commit to the government maintaining the triple lock, prompting concerns. 

Many are predicting Truss’ days are numbered. Conservative MP backbencher William Wragg revealed he submitted a letter of no confidence, making him the sixth Tory MP to call for Truss to stand down. "I cannot go and face my constituents, look them in the eye and say they should support our great party," he said. Tory MP Miriam Cates also expressed her doubts about Truss leading the party into the next election. MPs from other parties have also echoed doubt in Truss amidst Braverman’s resignation. SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford called it “rearranging the deckchairs as the ship goes down.”

Further calamity ensues over the vote tonight for the government’s fracking plans. Three Tory MPs have said they will not vote to support fracking, prepared to go against the Tory whip and face the consequences. Chris Skidmore tweeted:

“As the former Energy Minister who signed Net Zero into law, for the sake of our environment and climate, I cannot personally vote tonight to support fracking and undermine the pledges I made at the 2019 General Election.”

Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford, seconded this, and Guildford MP Angela Richardson was the third. The combination of the changes to top ministers and the lack of support from her party leaves PM Truss in a precarious position. Will she give in to the calls to resign, or make it till Christmas?

(Sources: Sky News)