Now TWO MPs threaten to quit if Rishi Sunak sacks Suella Braverman – as the right of the Tory party rally around the Home Secretary after her incendiary attack on the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian marches
- Braverman met Sir Mark first time since attack on police’s handling of marches
- Source close to Braverman said she ’emphasised her full backing for the police’
The Right of the Tory party rallied around Suella Braverman last night – with at least two MPs threatening to resign if she is sacked.
The Home Secretary yesterday met Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley for the first time since her incendiary attack on the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian marches.
Mrs Braverman was briefed on the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s plan to maintain law and order on the capital’s streets during the march being staged today, Armistice Day.
One of the MPs considering their position is a parliamentary private secretary, an unpaid ministerial ‘bag carrier’ who acts as the eyes and ears of a minister among backbenchers, it is understood.
A source close to Mrs Braverman said she ’emphasised her full backing for the police’ at the meeting with Sir Mark.
The statement did not, however, express specific support for the Met commissioner.
The Home Secretary yesterday met Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley for the first time since her incendiary attack on the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian marches
Downing Street said the Prime Minister was working ‘very closely’ with the Home Secretary on the eve of the massive rally in London
It came after No 10 insisted Mrs Braverman retained the ‘full confidence’ of Rishi Sunak, despite more ministers distancing themselves from her controversial comments.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister was working ‘very closely’ with the Home Secretary on the eve of the massive rally in London.
A source close to Mrs Braverman said last night: ‘The Home Secretary and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police met this afternoon to discuss the policing of demonstrations to be held… on Armistice Day.
READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian protesters reveal what they really think as they call Hamas ‘freedom fighters’ ahead of Armistice Day march
‘The Home Secretary emphasised her full backing for the police in what will be a complex and challenging situation and expressed confidence that any criminality will be dealt with robustly.’
In a newspaper article on Thursday, Mrs Braverman accused police leaders of ‘playing favourites’ with protesters.
She said some troublemakers received a ‘stern response’ while ‘pro-Palestinian mobs displaying almost identical behaviour are largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law’.
Her remarks led to accusations that she had over-stepped her remit.
But asked if the Prime Minister still had full confidence in Mrs Braverman, Mr Sunak’s spokesman told reporters: ‘He does. He has confidence in the Home Secretary and our collective focus working with the Home Office and other colleagues in government now is on ensuring that Remembrance events at the weekend are protected from disruption and that veterans and those gathering to mark Remembrance Sunday and the Jewish community do not face unacceptable intimidation.’
It is understood that Mrs Braverman is safe from being sacked this weekend while all eyes are on the demo organised by Palestinian support groups, the far-Left and trade unions, calling on Israel to end its reprisals against Hamas following the October 7 terror attacks. It is feared likely counter-protests could lead to further flashpoints.
A source close to Mrs Braverman said she ’emphasised her full backing for the police’ at the meeting with Sir Mark (pictured)
However, Downing Street is ‘looking into’ how her commentary piece appeared in The Times, because it was ‘not agreed’. Mrs Braverman was ‘in touch’ with the Prime Minister yesterday, sources said, but it was unclear whether they had spoken in person.
She retains the backing of many influential voices on the Right of the party, who believe she was expressing views that resonate with ordinary voters.
A snap poll showed 72 per cent of party supporters agreed with her that today’s march should not go ahead.
Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson said Mrs Braverman was only ‘guilty of saying what most of us are thinking and saying’.
‘Thank goodness we have a Home Secretary who refuses to be cancelled.
‘She is using everyday language used by everyday people. Labour MPs would know this if they got out more,’ he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Party grandee Sir Edward Leigh said: ‘Suella merely says what millions of strong Conservative voters think.’
Mrs Braverman failed to receive the backing of several ministers, with Jeremy Hunt becoming the most senior member of the Government to decline to endorse her remarks.
The Chancellor told Sky News: ‘As many other Cabinet ministers have said, the words that she used are not words that I myself would have used.’
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