In a high-level reshuffle, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak names James Cleverly as the new Home Secretary after taking decisive action in response to outrage.
Suella Braverman, the interior minister of the United Kingdom, was fired by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after a recent reorganization of the nation’s cabinet. Following widespread public indignation over Braverman’s remarks about how the police handled a pro-Palestinian march that had occurred the week before, the action was taken.
Sunak had to act decisively since the scandal over Braverman’s remarks had raised emotions, especially in the run-up to Armistice Day.
Suella Braverman came under fire for posting an article critical of the police’s handling of the pro-Palestinian march, which was a defiance of Prime Minister Sunak. Braverman charged in her opinion article that the police were handling protests with a “double standard,” singling out pro-Palestinian demonstrators for particular criticism.
The peculiar assault on the police garnered notice and sparked worries about possible repercussions, particularly considering how delicate the circumstances were.
The interior minister called protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza “hate marchers” and accused London’s police department of ignoring lawbreaking by “pro-Palestinian mobs.” Her remarks were deemed provocative and polarizing.
After far-right violence broke out during the demonstrations, Braverman released a statement endorsing law enforcement while also denouncing the “sick, inflammatory, and clearly criminal chants, placards, and paraphernalia” that were being used throughout the march. The minister’s outspoken position and forceful words only served to intensify the dispute.
The backlash after Braverman’s remarks forced Prime Minister Rishi Sunak into action. James Heappey, the minister of the armed forces, disavowed Braverman’s comments and emphasized that politicians had been criticizing the Metropolitan Police far too much in the media.
Prominent individuals who disapproved of Braverman’s word choice included Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, who expressed similar feelings.
Suella Braverman was not fired for the first time before this episode. Her former UK prime minister, Liz Truss, had forced her to quit from the same role just 13 months earlier. The previous incident concerned a technological security lapse in which Braverman sent government-related correspondence using her personal email address.
The seriousness of the problem surrounding her current remarks was perhaps exacerbated by her past history of being asked to resign from a ministerial position.
James Cleverly has been chosen as the new home secretary after Suella Braverman was fired. Former UK Foreign Secretary Cleverly continued in that capacity under Rishi Sunak, having taken over the position under Liz Truss at first.
Cleverly held the positions of Education Secretary and Minister of State for Europe and North America in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) before taking on his current role. Throughout his political career, he has also served as the Conservative Party’s chairman, deputy chairman, and undersecretary for Brexit in the legislature.
