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.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin May 22, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin May 22, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Shots of immense power in Elton's expansive collection
Fragile Beauty is home to stunning prints gathered by the singer and his husband, exploring subjects including fashion, desire and reportage from war zones
LIFE LESSONS
In ‘Better Off Dead?’, Liz Carr reveals how legalising assisted suicide could endanger disabled people
Water, water everywhere...
The addition of 27 new wild swimming areas should be great news – but if there’s no promise they won’t be as gross as our sewage-filled seas, Helen Coffey sees little cause to celebrate
LORDS OF THE RING
With Fury vs Usyk set to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion, Alex Pattle speaks to Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren and other top promoters about the art of matchmaking
Fernandes linked to Bayern and Varane to leave United
Bayern Munich are looking at a move for Bruno Fernandes this summer and believe they can get him due to increasing frustration at Manchester United.
City favourites for title as Haaland brace secures win
A formality in the strangest of settings. In the seconds after Erling Haaland scored the goal that won this match and probably the Premier League title, you could feel the tension just evaporate.
Unemployment figures take shine off exit from recession
After all the excited chatter about Britain’s recovery from shallow recession, we’re back to earth with a bump.
'The situation is worse than dire, it's a very grim picture'
Hit by devastating floods and left with no support from the Taliban, Afghans are being forced to survive on potato peel while battling unimaginable conditions.
Strikes on aid locations in Gaza 'killed or hurt dozens'
Research by The Independent on impact of Israeli airstrikes is backed by a Human Rights Watch report
Speaker backs Trump at 'sham' hush-money trial
House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson lambasted the United States judicial system yesterday as he became the highest-ranking Republican to attend court with Donald Trump, echoing unsubstantiated or disproven arguments made by the former president and his allies.