Suella Braverman has resigned as Home Secretary after 'making a mistake', she has said.
In a withering letter to embattled Prime Minister Liz Truss, Ms Braverman said she chose to resign after a security mistake concening a confidential email. She blasted the Government, though, in another major blow to the Prime Minister.
She wrote: "Earlier today, I sent an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague as part of policy engagement and with the aim of garnering support for government policy on migration. This consistutes a technical infringement of the rules.
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"As you know, the document was a draft Written Ministerial Statement about migration, due for publication imminently. Much of it had already been briefed to MPs. Nevertheless it is right for me to go.
"As soon as I realised my mistake, I rapidly reported this on official channels, and informed the Cabinet Secretary. As Home Secretary I hold myself to the highest standards and my resignation is the right thing to do.
"The business of government relies upon people accepting responsibility for their mistakes. Pretending we haven't made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone can't see that we have made them, and hoping that things will magically come right is not serious politics. I have made a mistake; I accept responsibility; I resign."
She added: "It is obvious to everyone that we are going through a tumultous time. I have concerns about the direction of this government. Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this Government's commitment to honouring manifesto commitments, such as reducing overall migration numbers and stopping illegal migration, particuarly the dangerous small boats crossings."
Suella Braverman's resignation letter in full
In response, Prime Minister wrote: "Thank you for your letter. I accept your resignation and respect the decision you have made. It is important the Ministerial Code is upheld, and that Cabinet confidentiality is respected.
"I am grateful for your service as Home Secretary. Your time in office has been marked by your steadfast commitment to keeping the British people safe. You oversaw the largest ever ceremonial policing operation, when thousands of officers were deployed from forces across the United Kingdom to ensure the safety of the Royal Family and all those who gathered in mourning for Her Late Majesty The Queen.
"I am also grateful for your previous work as Attorney General, as my Cabinet colleague and in particular your work on the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. I look forward to working with you in the future and wish you all the best."
It comes after prime minister Liz Truss cancelled a scheduled trip out of Westminster today, with a Downing Street source claiming the last-minute decision was made due to “government business”. Ms Truss is battling to save her premiership today as the number of Tory MPs publicly calling for her to face a confidence vote grows.
According to the Guardian, former transport secretary Grant Shapps is a likely candidate for her replacement.
Just last week, Ms Truss asked former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng to step down after his mini-budget unleashed turmoil on the markets. Jeremy Hunt, who was brought in as his replacement, has now ripped up the bulk of her economic strategy saying it went too far and too fast.
The change in tact has left the prime minister fighting to win back the support of her MPs. She made a public apology in the Commons as she faced Prime Minister’s Questions for the first time since her economic plan was ditched.
She told MPs: “I am a fighter, not a quitter” as she battled to save her job, telling MPs: “I have been very clear that I am sorry and that I have made mistakes.”
Ms Truss now risks a fresh fight with Tory MPs by making a vote on a Labour motion on fracking a test of confidence in her administration.
There is speculation that the chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady had already received more than 54 letters calling for a confidence vote in the PM – the threshold for triggering one if Ms Truss was not in the 12 months’ grace period for new leaders.
“I wouldn’t get into private conversations,” the Prime Minister’s press secretary said. “That’s the first I’ve heard.”
Tory MP William Wragg told the Commons he has submitted a letter to Sir Graham.
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