Is Suella Braverman trying to get sacked?

Tory MPs are in an even more fractious mood than usual following Suella Braverman’s article in the Times. No. 10 has now clarified that while Rishi Sunak has full confidence in Braverman, the article was not cleared by Downing Street. As Katy Balls explains here, the Home Secretary does seem to be pushing the limits of what Downing Street will accept.

There is also considerable impatience among MPs with No 10. I’ve been shown WhatsApp messages from the Home Office group this morning where MPs have been demanding clarity from Braverman’s special advisers and Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPSs) on whether the piece was indeed cleared by No 10. Kit Malthouse in particular has been repeatedly asking for answers – only to get details from other colleagues rather than the Home Office team. The new No. 10 line is that they are looking into the details of what happened. 

MPs have been particularly anxious about what the official line is now that the Speaker has granted an urgent question to shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.