Rishi Sunak is facing a Tory civil war as he is urged to sack Suella Braverman over her controversial comments ahead of the pro-Palestine march today.
The home secretary has been accused of stirring “hatred and division” after she claimed the police are biased.
But her job is on the line after Downing Street made clear that it had not approved an extraordinary article in which she accused officers of playing favourites over a pro-Palestine march on Armistice Day.
No 10 says it is investigating after it demanded that changes be made to the piece but the request was ignored. As the home secretary’s claims sparked a furious outcry, one Conservative minister broke ranks to accuse her of fuelling “hatred and division”.
Now, leaked WhatsApp messages between Tory MPs reveal discord in the party as Braverman backers and supporters exchanged heated messages on her comments on the police.
Meanwhile, George Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, said the prime minister risked looking weak if he decided not to axe Ms Braverman.
Stay updated with the latest from the march with our liveblog.
Labour MP: Suella must be sacked and Sunak should apologise
Karl Turner said Suella Braverman should be sacked for “revving up far right yobs to come out and pollute our streets by spewing their vile hatred on Armistice Day”.
The Labour MP told The Independent: “It is a wonder that Braverman hasn’t reserved a balcony viewing spot from Whitehall so she could take a bow to those yobs she’s brought out.
“Rishi Sunak should have sacked her already but should now, he needs to apologise for what his inaction has allowed to happen and then call the general election.
“We need a prime minister in charge of his own government ministers not bossed around by dangerous and thuggish ministers like Braverman.”
Humza Yousaf: Suella Braverman must quit over far-right demonstrators
Humza Yousaf has called on the home secretary to quit for “emboldening” far-right protestors on Armistice Day.
The Scottish first minister said attacks on the police mean Ms Braverman’s position is “untenable”.
He said on X: “The far-right has been emboldened by the Home Secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the Police on Armistice Day.
“The Home Secretary’s position is untenable. She must resign.”
Watch: Two minutes’ silence observed at Cenotaph amid pro-Palestine Remembrance Day march
Suella Braverman’s ‘hate marches’ comments show how little she knows about Northern Ireland
Braverman was so anxious to make a point about the threat of this march that she almost threw the entire unionist tradition of Northern Ireland under the bus to do it, Claire Morrison writes:
If you mention Northern Irish politics to people in Britain, their reactions range from trepidation to exasperation. I understand (just try living here). We have a mandatory coalition in Stormont, which is currently collapsed (again), some of our MPs don’t take their seats in Westminster but are still MPs, and the different political identities at play are best represented in a 4D graph.
To be perfectly honest, when it comes to people outside Northern Ireland understanding what happens here, my expectations are through the floor. I’m wrapping up my PhD on Ulster identities and I find it a bit much at times, so I assume nothing of people who aren’t working in the field.
Join our WhatsApp Channel for news updates
The Independent has launched a brand new WhatsApp Channel, bringing you the latest breaking news, Premium news analysis from our award-winning journalists and an evening news briefing with the day’s top headlines.
British Muslims ‘feel betrayed’ as Sunak and Starmer both refuse calls for Gaza ceasefire
Sir Keir Starmer sparked outrage soon after the 7 October attacks that reportedly left 1,400 people dead in Israel, after comments suggesting Israel had the right to cut off water and energy to Gaza. He clarified his views 10 days later, insisting: “I was not saying that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines.”
But the damage appeared to be done; a recent survey by Muslim Census of 29,000 responses suggests 66 per cent of Muslim voters would no longer back Labour in the next general election.
Dr Haitham Al-Haddad, chair of the Fatwa Committee for The Islamic Council of Europe, told The Independent Muslim communities feel “disappointed and disheartened” by the government’s attitudes towards the invasion in Gaza.
“It is not just because we are talking about Palestinians or Muslims,” he said. “But we are talking about human beings and children who have been killed in front of the entire world.”
‘I am not worried about violence at pro-Palestine protests,’ Mercer
Johnny Mercer has said he is not worried about violence erupting at pro-Palestine protests in London today.
The veterans minister said he and the prime minister have “worked hard with the police” this week and “they have the full powers they need”.
“Nobody is going anywhere near the Cenotaph,” he told Sky News.
“Clearly we believe in the rights of people to protest, and my message is that London is fully open and welcoming for all those who want to come up this weekend,” he said.
Leaked WhatsApp’s reveal Tory clashes over Braverman’s pro-Palestine march row stance
Archie Mitchell reports:
Military top brass turn on Suella Braverman over pro-Palestine march ban row
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, a cross-party committee of MPs, hit out at the home secretary’s rhetoric, which has seen her describe the demonstrations as “hate marches”, warning she is “inspiring far-right” to engage in Islamophobia.
Ms Braverman’s job is on the line after Downing Street made clear that it had not approved an extraordinary article in which she accused officers of playing favourites by tolerating the Armistice Day march while using stronger tactics against right-wing protests, with senior Tories urging Mr Sunak to sack her.
