RISHI Sunak has opened the door to a formal probe into claims Suella Braverman tried to “cover up” speeding points.
The PM will talk to his ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus about the latest storm surrounding his on-the-ropes Home Secretary.
Ms Braverman is under fire after it was revealed she asked officials at the Home Office to see if she could do a speed awareness course privately
The PM will talk to his ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus about the latest storm
A No10 source said: “The PM has always followed the proper process in these matters and, on his return to London from Japan, will consult the Independent Adviser.”
Allies of Ms Braverman — who will face the Commons over the affair — described the row as a “political witch-hunt” and insisted all was above board.
But pressure was mounting for a sleaze probe after she admitted she asked officials to set her up a private speed awareness course — rather than do one with members of the public.
After civil servants said they couldn’t help, and political aides couldn’t intervene, she took the fine and three licence points.
Mr Sunak when quizzed at a terse closing press conference at the G7 in Japan, had refused to answer questions on whether he’d open a new ethics probe – just six months after she was sacked for breaking the Ministerial code over using a personal email to brief MPs on upcoming new policies.
The PM said: “I don’t know the full details of what has happened, nor have I spoken to the Home Secretary.”
But former Party chairman Jake Berry said she had “questions to answer”.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner wrote to the PM, urging him to “show some backbone” and order a probe “without delay”.
And Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “As Home Secretary, Suella Braverman is responsible for upholding the law, yet this report suggests she has tried to abuse her position.”
