RISHI Sunak battled an open Tory civil war today as whips urged the PM to remove Suella Braverman from the Cabinet and carry out a reshuffle.
With less than 24 hours until the Armistice Day pro-Palestine march, Downing Street struggled to contain the fallout from the Home Secretary’s article in The Times.
Without clearance from No10, Ms Braverman claimed cops show favouritism towards left wing activists and take Gaza and Black Lives Matter marches less seriously than right wing demonstrations.
Downing Street is investigating whether the article broke the ministerial code.
At lunchtime No10 chose to stand by an embattled Ms Braverman.
They also refused to say if she and the PM have spoken since the article was published on Wednesday evening.
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They said they wouldn’t provide a “running commentary” on contact between the PM and ministers.
A long-anticipated reshuffle could be triggered by the PM at any moment.
This morning Education Minister Robert Halfon wouldn’t answer whether Ms Braverman will be in the job next week.
Asked to rate her performance, he told LBC: “The Home Secretary has been doing her job and, of course, I respect that.
“The focus has got to be to ensure that the Remembrance services go ahead peacefully and securely this weekend.
“That’s why the Prime Minister met with the London Chief Commissioner and, of course, the police will be held accountable.”
Mr Halfon added that Ms Braverman has “a unique way of expressing herself”.
On the right of the Tory party MPs leapt to the Home Secretary’s defence.
They’ve privately been scathing of No10’s reaction to the op-ed and have even threatened all-out war in the Commons if she’s dismissed from the top table.
Deputy Tory Chairman Lee Anderson said: “Suella Braverman has not described Hamas or Hezbollah as friends.
“She’s not took the knee on Whitehall whilst at a BLM riot.
“These were the actions of MPs within the Labour Party, the same party who want her sacked.
“But Suella is guilty. 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.”
Today Cabinet ministers advisers continued piling pressure on the PM over the row.
One government source not aligned to the Home Secretary told The Sun: “I fear (because the scenes will be appalling) she will be proved right on Saturday and that will change the narrative.”
