Rishi Sunak asks Suella Braverman for 'further information' over speeding ticket
There is growing pressure on Rishi Sunak to launch a formal investigation into Suella Braverman in relation to a speeding ticket she received in 2022.
Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin, speaking for the government, said Mr Sunak had met both the government's independent ethics adviser and Ms Braverman to ask for "further information".
"Further information," is of course a pass the parcel tactic designed to avoid making a decision. From the Ministerial Code we already know that civil servants can't be ticked off for being useless or obstructive. If Mr Sunak cannot deal with this as the root of the Braverman issue, then we may as well accept that the office of Prime Minister has effectively become a subordinate Civil Service post. Political oversight has gone.
From the Ministerial Code
1.2 Ministers should be professional in all their dealings
and treat all those with whom they come into contact with
consideration and respect. Working relationships,
including with civil servants, ministerial and parliamentary
colleagues and parliamentary staff should be proper and
appropriate. Harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or
discriminating behaviour wherever it takes place is not
consistent with the Ministerial Code and will not be
tolerated.
5 comments:
There is probably massive pressure to remove her, as she has spoken against economic migrants. But I can't see how asking for a private course is wrong. Unless the asking is itself offensive (as in the case of sexual advances or personal prying) then where is the harm?
"Can I do this?"
"No, Minister.".
Case closed.
Those who are caught speeding can ask for a one to one speed aware course in certain circumstances, such as being so well known that their attendance could disrupt the course. In Braverman's case, as a minister of the Crown, and the Home Secretary to boot, her attendance on an open course could lead to problems of security and her personal safety. The 'impartial' MSM would have a field day in trying to humiliate her in a story which will portray her sitting next to white van Dave, or even one of the invaders she is trying to remove. Her mistake was, allegedly, asking a civil servant who took the opportunity to follow their own agenda.
Penseivat
Sam - it's so typical of the public sector, almost makes me nostalgic. If you oppose something, even the most trivial reason will do if you just go on and on and on about it. If Suella Braverman survives this, the civil service will just come up with something else.
Penseivat - that's it, and everyone else on the course would be taking selfies of themselves with her in the background. The civil service could have said "no we can't have that" and could have arranged something, but they obviously preferred to use it as an opportunity to get rid of her if possible.
She is going to pay the price for Sunak being so weak over Raab.
We really shouldn't be letting the bureaucrats pick our Cabinet.
dearieme - I hope she does pay the price and goes on to stir up opposition to Sunak's weakness. No we shouldn't be letting the bureaucrats pick our Cabinet, but Sunak is doing just that.
Post a Comment