By Ben Kerrigan-
Allegations by Sir Jake Berry, of multiple breaches of the ministerial code by Home Office Minister, Suella Braverman should be investigated to ensure responsibility and accountability in the Home Office.
Sir Berry is absolutely right in his demand for an investigation because of the very serious and sensitive issue of ministerial breaches. Ministers of government must be seen to be accountable, and not escape necessary investigations to ensure compliance with established rules and earn the confidence of the public.
Public confidence in the integrity of British politicians is at an all-time low ever since the embarrassing revelations of partygate which worsened an already bad reputation of politicians as liars, who cannot be trusted. The job of a Home Secretary is very important and calls for the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
Sir Berry’s allegations of “multiple breaches” of the code, which sets out how members of the Government must behave – or face punishment, are quite serious, and has already in itself brought office of the Home Office to disrepute. His declaration of guilt against Ms Braverman would be defamatory if untrue, leading to the logical idea that they in fact be investigated. The allegations have already left a very negative impression on the British public, he would qualify for disciplinary action himself if it turned out Ms Bruverman has not committed multiple breaches, as alleegd.
Ms Bruverman’s swift return to her post after walking out of Liz Truss’s government, has sparked disbelief and consternation in some political quarters, but the prime minister has pointed to her admission of ”an error of judgement”, using this to justify her remaining in the post. Critics say this is an example of poor tory leadership, because Mr. Sunak’s decision to hire Ms Braverman is tantamount to him condoning her many alleged breaches.
Speaking to TalkTV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: “From my own knowledge, there were multiple breaches of the ministerial code.”
Ms Braverman left her role in Ms Truss’s cabinet after she was caught sending veteran backbench Tory Sir John Hayes, a fellow right-winger, an official document from a personal email account.
She said she accidentally copied in someone she believed was Sir John’s wife, but who in fact turned out to be an aide to Conservative MP Andrew Percy, who raised the alarm. An important question is why the Home Secretary was not certain about who the wife of Sir John was, and whether the alleged error is reasonably believable.
Braverman argued it was merely a draft written ministerial statement on immigration which had been due for publication imminently. Allies said she sent it after going on a 4am immigration raid before coming clean about her “mistake”.
However, officials said the file was sent much later and that the Cabinet papers had first been forwarded from her ministerial account to a private Gmail account before going elsewhere. The gravity of the errors needs to be properly assessed.
Braverman admitted she had made a “technical infringement” of the rules by sending an official document from a personal email and was taking responsibility.
She was forced out of the Cabinet prior to Truss’s downfall, making her then the shortest-serving Home Secretary in history.
No explanation has of yet been given as to why Braverman sought to copy in the man’s wife. but this one incident does not seem serious enough to warrant a sacking.
Braverman said she “rapidly reported” her “mistake” through official channels and informed Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, as soon as she realised it. Her position has the prime minister’s backing.
Sir Jake said: “As I understand it, the evidence was put to her and she accepted the evidence, rather than the other way round.”
Labour has demanded that Case, who is reportedly “livid” over her swift return and “very concerned” about the breach, launch an investigation “into the extent of this and other possible security breaches”.
What other breaches are being referred to are unclear, but any other alleged breaches of the code should be subject to an investigation.
Ms Braverman was also reportedly probed by government officials as part of an investigation into a leak relating to a story about plans to apply for an injunction against the BBC to bar it identifying a spy accused of abusing his position to terrorise his partner.
She was attorney general at the time, the government’s chief legal advisor, and the person named in the story as seeking the injunction. The source of the leak was never ascertained, making any connection with the Home Secretary inconclusive, but deserving of clarification.
On Friday, it was being speculated that Sunak had slipped up by revealing that Braverman owned up to committing breaches, during a personal communication with the prime minister, but Sunak cleared the air by confirming she spoke about it in the context of her being returned to her role.
There are nevertheless criticisms against Sunak re-instating the role of the Home Secretary without getting to the bottom of allegation of breaches against her. This may actually be a matter for the Parliamentary Committee for Standards.