Pressure is mounting on Rishi Sunak, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, to dismiss Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she accused police of bias. Braverman claimed in a Times article that the police had “largely ignored” pro-Palestinian protesters, while right-wing demonstrators had faced a “stern response.” No 10 has since said that Sunak has full confidence in Braverman. However, her comments have divided the Conservative Party, with some calling for her to be sacked.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has suggested that policing could be undermined by public debate influencing decision making, in response to Braverman’s statements. Some Conservative figures have weighed in, with Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown calling it “unwise” for the Home Secretary to write the article. He suggested that Sunak would need to have a “very serious conversation” with Braverman. However, her ally Miriam Cates MP argued that it is right for Braverman to have views on the protests.
Former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve and Conservative MP Sir Bob Neil both said that Braverman’s position had become untenable as she was “publicly attacking” the police and giving the impression that she wanted to control their decision-making. Braverman’s article was not cleared by Downing Street, and the Times claimed that No 10’s suggested changes to the text were not followed, leading to a rift between Braverman and the prime minister’s office.
The situation comes ahead of a planned rally in London on Saturday on Armistice Day, which also marks the anniversary of the end of World War One. The clash between pro-Palestine campaigners and counter-protesters has raised fears of violence, and some have called for the rally to be cancelled as it is “disrespectful.” The Metropolitan Police has said it cannot ban the march without evidence of a threat of serious disorder, which has not yet been met
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