PM to meet ethics adviser over Braverman scandal

Pressure is mounting on Rishi Sunak to launch an investigation into whether Suella Braverman broke government rules by asking civil servants to help her avoid speeding points. Former Conservative Party chair Sir Jake Berry said the home secretary clearly had “questions to answer”, while another former Tory minister told The Independent that the allegations were “the final straw”.

- JON STONE

 

Labour and the Lib Dems have called for an ethics inquiry to be held into whether Ms Braverman broke the ministerial code – and told the PM to come to parliament tomorrow to explain what he knew about the claims.

Yesterday evening, Downing Street said Mr Sunak would consult his ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, on the issue when he returns to the UK today from the G7 summit in Japan, but stopped short of announcing an official inquiry. Sir Laurie can only begin an investigation into potential breaches of the ministerial code if requested to do so by the PM.

Appearing at a press conference at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Mr Sunak declined to back his embattled minister. He said had not spoken to Ms Braverman, and did not know the details of her case. The PM appeared frustrated at repeated questioning by journalists on the issue, asking reporters: “Did you have any questions about the summit?” A No 10 spokesperson later insisted Mr Sunak had full confidence in Ms Braverman.

According to a report in The Sunday Times, the home secretary asked officials to organise a private speed-awareness course for her, which would have allowed her to avoid both the points on her licence and the PR disaster of appearing in a public class with other lawbreakers.

The Daily Mirror also reported that Ms Braverman’s team had denied she had been caught speeding when the newspaper approached her about the offence six weeks ago, and that they had claimed at the time that enemies in Westminster were spreading misinformation about her.