Rishi Sunak insisted on rehiring the home secretary six days after she resigned, while it remains unclear whether officials cautioned against the move.
A former party chair has alleged that Suella Braverman has committed “many violations” of the ministerial code, putting pressure on Rishi Sunak to reconsider her reappointment as home secretary.
Ms. Braverman resigned from her position a little over a week ago after using her email address to convey sensitive government material, in violation of the ministers’ regulations.
However, the new prime minister reassigned her to the Home Office on Tuesday and defended his decision in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Sir Jake Berry, who was fired by Mr. Sunak two days earlier, stated on TalkTV on Wednesday evening, “From what I know, there were several violations of the ministerial code.”
Nadhim Zahawi, chairman of the New Conservative Party, supported Ms. Braverman’s appointment, “People are afforded a second opportunity.”
However, he did not dispute that Cabinet Office officials had warned against bringing her back owing to security breaches, stating, “Officials voice concerns and make points… with ministers all the time, and I believe they should be permitted to do so.
“Discussions on the broadcast about what officials advise ministers would be detrimental to the way we run the country, as they should feel free to do so without fear of being mentioned in the media.”
Mark Pritchard, however, stated that a “breakdown” of confidence between security services and Ms. Braverman must be “repaired immediately.”
The former member of the intelligence and security committee of Parliament tweeted, “MI5 must have faith in the home secretary, whoever that may be.”
“This relationship of trust is crucial to the security of the United Kingdom and the democratic monitoring of MI5″ Any deterioration of this connection would be detrimental to the security agency and the country.”
Yesterday during Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr. Sunak of making a “grubby bargain” with Ms. Braverman, a figure popular on the party’s right, to secure the keys to Number 10.
David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, demanded a complete investigation of Ms. Braverman’s activities and her dismissal, “The home secretary is the most important position in our state.
“This is a person who takes decisions regarding terrorism and counter-terrorism, as well as very, very dangerous offenders and whether or not they should be released from prison. As a result, I’m afraid that their judgment is of the utmost importance.
“I’m afraid this was a lapse of judgment for which she was terminated. Why was she brought back?” is the query.
However, Mr. Zahawi stated, “She recognized her error and quit. A new prime minister arrived, reviewed the information, and decided to give her another shot.
“I believe that is the correct choice. A redemption is a positive event.”
In the meantime, the new prime minister has confirmed that the Halloween budget will be delayed until November 17 so that the most recent economic estimates can be considered.
However, Downing Street has declined to declare whether pensions will increase in April in pace with inflation, which already exceeds 10%.
Maria Caulfield, a member of the Conservative Party warned earlier this month that she would vote against abolishing the pensions triple lock.
“When the government does not confirm one way or the other, speculation increases, voids are created, and people become anxious. “I have elderly clients who are concerned,” she told.
The triple lock stipulates that the state pension must increase by the greater of average earnings, inflation, or 2.5%.
Mr. Sunak’s press secretary stated that no comment would be given “before to any financial statements or budgets”, but added: “I can say that he has demonstrated through his record as chancellor that he will do what is right and humane for the most disadvantaged.”
Separately, the incoming prime minister stated that he would reinstate the controversial fracking prohibition that Liz Truss had lifted during her brief premiership.
Michael Gove, the recently reappointed Secretary for Levelling Up, stated last night at the London Press Club Awards that “boring is back” after “12 months of turmoil.
And government appointments proceeded late into the night, with former transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan being relegated to Foreign Office minister being the most prominent shift.
Sunak allies, including Alex Chalk, Lucy Frazer, and Helen Whately, were granted ministerial positions, while previous long-serving schools minister Nick Gibb returned to the Department for Education, where he was joined by the chair of the education select committee, Robert Halfon.
