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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Kieran Isgin

Moment Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman told to 'go away' by heckler during walkabout

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman were heckled and told to "go away" while doing a short walkabout.

The pair were in Essex town centre walking down Chelmsford high street just before 9am on Monday while accompanied by three local police officers. The street was observed to be quiet and neither Ms Braverman or Mr Sunak stopped to chat to any of the people who were out at the same time.

Despite this, one woman shouted at the pair "allow migrants into our country" and "refugees should be allowed in Britain". While the officer walking alongside Ms Braverman turned his head towards the woman, the home secretary didn't appear to react.

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The woman added, shouting at the two senior politicians: "Go away. We don’t want you here.”

While the woman continued to shout, Ms Bareverman carried on her conversation with the officer. During the confrontation, Mr Sunak was seen speaking to the two officers farthest away from the woman.

The walk only lasted around five minutes, after which the Prime Minister was driven to Chelmsford Boxing Club, where he spoke about his anti-social behaviour action plan and took questions from a crowd attending.

It comes as controversial legislation designed to put a stop to migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats returns to the House of Commons for its committee stage on Monday, with Downing Street facing objections to the Bill from both the liberal and the right wings of the Conservative Party.

The Bill has been at the centre of controversy, with critics warning that the proposed legislation leaves the UK foul of its international obligations.

But right-wing Tory MPs have signalled that it does not go far enough, with some calling for ministers to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to drive through tighter border controls.

Others on the liberal wing want to see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commit to establishing safe routes via which asylum seekers can come to Britain.

The Prime Minister has sought to play down suggestions he and Ms Braverman were at odds over the Bill following reports she has been privately encouraging rebels on the right in order to pressurise him to toughen up the legislation.

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