According to a union leader, Suella Braverman must apologize to civil servants for accusing them of obstructing efforts to halt small boat crossings.
The home secretary accused civil servants of being part of a left-wing “activist mass” with the Labour Party in an e-mail to Tory supporters.
No. 10 stated that Ms. Braverman “did not see, approve, or sanction” the text.
However, FDA union chief David Penman stated that she should retract the “insulting” message and apologize to her staff.
He stated that Home Office officials were “livid” at being accused of political bias. And feared that this “incendiary” rhetoric could make them a target for demonstrators.
The e-mail was sent out by the Conservative central office on Tuesday to promote Ms. Braverman’s plans to prevent migrants from entering the United Kingdom via small vessels.
It stated, “We attempted to prevent small boat crossings without modifying our laws.
However, a group of left-leaning lawyers, civil servants, and Labour Party activists thwarted us.
In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Mr. Penman argued that the statement was “factually erroneous”. Also a “direct assault on the integrity and impartiality of thousands of Home Office civil servants.”
“This cowardly assault on civil servants, whom the home secretary knows are unable to publicly defend themselves. Also risks further inflaming tensions over a matter that has previously resulted in violent clashes with protesters,” said Mr. Penman.
He accused Ms. Braverman of violating the ministerial code, which requires ministers to uphold the civil service’s political neutrality.
The official spokesperson for the prime minister stated, “The home secretary did not see that e-mail before it got out.”
She stated that Rishi Sunak had “made it abundantly clear” that he appreciates the efforts of the cabinet secretary and all government employees, including those in the Home Office.
The prime minister “personally went over to the Home Office” before Christmas to congratulate them for their work on the small boat measures announced at the end of last year, the spokeswoman added.
She stated that Tuesday’s e-mail was a “product” of Conservative campaign headquarters and that they would “have to review what transpired operationally.”
Ministerial approval is required for goods with their name or sent in their name. But I believe that on this occasion, the procedure was not followed.
Mr. Penman said Ms. Braverman should apologise to state servants and retract the message.
“This was a CCHQ e-mail, and the Home Secretary did not see the text,” a Conservative Party spokesperson said. Our internal clearance procedures are currently being reviewed.”
