The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, is under scrutiny as demands for an inquiry mount following reports that she allegedly asked Home Office civil servants to assist in securing preferential treatment after being caught speeding. It is claimed that Braverman sought a personalized driving awareness course, organized by Home Office officials, which would have allowed her to avoid attending a regular in-person or online course alongside other motorists where her identity could be revealed.
However, civil servants reportedly refused her request and raised concerns, prompting them to report the matter to the Cabinet Office. In an attempt to arrange the course discreetly, Braverman turned to a political aide, sidestepping the need to disclose her identity. By completing the course, she would have evaded receiving penalty points on her driving licence.
According to the Sunday Times, Braverman’s requests were ultimately denied, leading her to forgo the course altogether and accept three penalty points on her licence. In light of these revelations, both the Labour and Liberal Democrats parties have called for an inquiry into the matter, with Labour suggesting potential breaches of the ministerial code. The responsibility of investigating the allegations falls upon Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s adviser on ministerial interests, who would need to be commissioned by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The incident dates back to the summer of 2022 when Suella Braverman, then serving as the attorney general, received a speeding notice from police outside London. Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, criticized Braverman, asserting that the report suggests an abuse of her position to circumvent normal penalties, creating a perception of double standards. Cooper highlighted the need for transparency and urgent explanations from both the home secretary and the prime minister, questioning what Boris Johnson knew when he reappointed Braverman.
Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, echoed the calls for an investigation, urging that Braverman should be promptly scrutinized by the ethics adviser and join the ranks of ministers who have faced similar inquiries. The Cabinet Office declined to comment on the report when approached, while the Home Office was also contacted for a statement on the matter. The allegations have raised concerns regarding integrity, professionalism, and accountability within the government, demanding a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the speeding incident and the actions of Suella Braverman.
