Backlash to Braverman builds as foreign secretary defends her re-appointment

Labour has called for a full investigation into security breaches committed by Suella Braverman after her reappointment as home secretary by Rishi Sunak.

Ms Braverman resigned from the role seven days ago, having breached the ministerial code by sending secure information from her private email, and left with scathing remarks about Liz Truss’s government.

But she was hired back by the new prime minister yesterday as he chose a number of familiar faces to make up his cabinet.

Politics live updates: Sunak’s first PMQs at noon as Braverman backlash grows

Labour attacked the move, accusing Mr Sunak of “putting party before country” by appointing Ms Braverman to win over right wing MPs.

And its shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has now written to the cabinet secretary demanding a probe into her activity during her previous period at the Home Office “as the public has a right to know that there are proper secure information procedures in place to cover the person who has been given charge of our national security”.

But Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said she had “very, very clear ideas about how we improve the performance of the Home Office” and had apologised for the mistakes of the past.

“Suella made a mistake,” he told Sky News. “She has said herself that she made a mistake. She’s apologised for that mistake and she stood down at the time.

“She has shown a willingness to take responsibility for what happened – but ultimately [the PM] has decided that he wants to see the agenda that she has set out, that very important crime fighting agenda, back in the heart of government.”

Ms Braverman has made a name for herself in parliament with her strong views on the so-called culture wars, recently attacking the “Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati” .

And she holds firm positions on policy, especially around cutting new migration and her unwavering support for the Rwanda deportation scheme.

Ms Cooper pointed to Mr Sunak’s speech outside 10 Downing Street after becoming prime minister, saying his government would have “integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level”.

“Yet he has just appointed Suella Braverman to be home secretary again a week after she resigned for breaches of the ministerial code, security lapses, sending sensitive government information through unauthorised personal channels, and following weeks of non-stop public disagreements with other cabinet ministers,” she added.

“Our national security and public safety are too important for this kind of chaos. We don’t just need a new cabinet, we need a general election and a fresh start with Labour.”

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael⁩ also claimed Ms Braverman’s appointment “makes a mockery of Rishi Sunak’s claims to be bringing integrity to Number 10”.

He also called for an independent inquiry into the hiring, adding: “A home secretary who broke the rules is not fit for a Home Office which keeps the rules.”

And the SNP’s Stuart McDonald said it showed “dodgy deals and scandals will remain at the heart of the Westminster system” under Mr Sunak’s leadership.

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But Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also stood by the decision to bring back the home secretary, saying he had “apologised” and “been fully accountable for those mistakes”.

He added: “From the point of view of people at home who want stability in the economy, they also need to see a united Conservative Party.

“And that’s why the prime minister has put together a cabinet of all talents.”