Suella Braverman has been sacked as home secretary for the second time in a month, after Rishi Sunak came under pressure to act over her comments about the police.
As learned by Quest Times, James Cleverly, who had been foreign secretary, has been appointed as her replacement.
Braverman was accused of undermining the operational independence of the police and public confidence in them when she wrote a newspaper article accusing them of “playing favourites” in their handling of a controversial pro-Palestinian march.
Critics from both opposition parties and fellow Tory MPs, called her comments “offensive” and “inflammatory”.
Besides, far-right protesters had over the weekend, clashed with police in Westminster, and pro-Palestinian marches also ended with arrests.
Armed forces minister, James Heappey, became the latest member of the government to distance themselves from Braverman’s words while speaking with newsmen, joining Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Her sack has angered some in the party, with Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns saying: “I support Suella Braverman. Sacked for speaking the truth. Bad call by Rishi caving in to the left!”
However, some MPs welcomed the change in direction, with former health secretary Matt Hancock saying: “Excellent for the Conservatives, showing Rishi Sunak will fight the election on the centre ground.”
In a statement released after her sacking, Ms Braverman said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary. I will have more to say in due course.”
Mr Cleverly in turn, said on social media: “It is an honour to be appointed as home secretary. The goal is clear. My job is to keep people in this country safe.”
In addition to Braverman being sacked, a number of junior ministers also left government. Nick Gibb, Neil O’Brien, and Will Quince all announced that they would step down from their roles.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Suella Braverman has now been sacked twice as home secretary. Rishi Sunak should never have re-appointed her in the first place. He was warned against it and was warned on the damage she was doing.”
“He went along with her undermining the police. Buck still stops with this weak PM.”