IRIA News

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sacked the country’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman on November 13, 2023, after mounting pressure on him to act against her. Braverman was fired due to her criticism of the police for being too lenient towards pro-Palestinian protesters.

Braverman ignored the Prime Minister’s office’s instructions and published an op-ed in The Times newspaper expressing her view. She accused the police of being biased.

In her article, published when she was still in the office, Braverman said that the London Police has been “playing favorites” and taking a lenient stance towards the pro-Palestinian protests. She described the protesters as “pro-Palestinian mobs” and “hate marchers.”

Her article received widespread backlash from all over the country pressuring Sunak to sack her. The British Prime Minister initially tried to back her, however, against the mounting pressure he disowned her views and fired her from the job. Ten Downing Street reported that the article was not run through the Prime Minister’s office, which was a violation of the ministerial code.

Braverman’s background

Braverman was appointed as Britain’s secretary of state in the Home Department by former Prime Minister Liz Truss in September 2022. However, she was ordered to resign from that job as well after she broke the rules by sending an official document from her personal email account. She was reinstated as head of the Home Department by Sunak after he became prime minister.

Despite being a daughter of immigrant parents from Kenya and Mauritius, Braverman is known for her anti-immigration approach and pro-Brexit stance, especially for her efforts to “stop the boats” and block the entry of refugees crossing the English Channel.

She was the brains behind the British government’s plans to send thousands of asylum seekers to the East African country of Rwanda. The British government first unveiled its plans in April 2022, that it was determined to send the first flight of asylum seekers to Rwanda soon after making a $150 million deal with the East African country.

Braverman drew public anger earlier this month after describing homelessness as a “lifestyle choice” and floating a new policy restricting the use of tents for rough sleepers.

After her dismissal, Braverman released a short statement saying “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary.” She added, “I will have more to say in due course.”

Shuffle in ministries

Britain’s Foreign Minister James Cleverly has taken the office of the Home Secretary after Braverman’s departure. Soon after being appointed as the new Home Secretary, Cleverly said that his main priorities are “Protection of the UK, Stopping the boats, and Supporting our police to keep us safe.”

In a surprising move, former Prime Minister David Cameron has been appointed as the country’s Foreign Minister. Cameron said in a statement that the country was facing a “daunting set of international challenges” amid ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. “At this time of profound global change, it has rarely been more important for this country to stand by our allies, strengthen our partnerships, and make sure our voice is heard,” he said.

UK’s position on the Israel-Gaza war

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was one of the first world leaders to visit Israel after it started attacking Gaza on October 7, 2023. Israel’s military actions in the besieged city has killed more than 11,000 people including one of the largest number of children’s death in any conflict.

Thousands of protestors have been taking to the streets all over the world, including the UK, to protest against Israel’s brutal actions in Gaza, however, most of the Western governments have endorsed Israel’s “right for self-defense”.

Sunak said at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “I am proud to stand here with you in Israel’s darkest hour.” The British prime minister added, “We will stand with you in solidarity. We will stand with you and your people. And we also want you to win.”