Braverman should go if she broke ministerial rules, Keir Starmer says

The UK home secretary should resign if it is determined that Suella Braverman violated the ministerial code, according to Keir Starmer, who has demanded that Rishi Sunak launch a formal investigation into the matter right once.

The Labour leader suggested that Sunak instruct his adviser on ministerial interests, Sir Laurie Magnus, to immediately open an investigation into whether Braverman breached the law when she requested special treatment from Home Office employees after being ticketed for speeding.

On the BBC1 Breakfast program, Starmer spoke, “The prime minister needs to launch an investigation into this. I think he’s said he’s going to see his ethics adviser today, to have a meeting with him. What he needs to do – what I would do – is to say to that adviser: you need to investigate this.”

“From what we know, it looks as if inappropriate action took place from the home secretary that needs to be fully investigated. And I think that’s what many people are expecting from the prime minister this morning.

“The ministerial code is pretty clear that if you break it, you’re supposed to go. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I don’t know all the facts. I don’t think anybody knows all of the facts. It looks as if some of the facts are still emerging. So the right thing to do is a proper investigation.”

When questioned about whether Braverman should resign if it was determined that she had broken the ministerial code, Starmer responded that she should.

“The prime minister did stand outside Downing Street when he became prime minister and say that he was going to bring about change, much-needed change, under this government and have accountability, honesty and transparency,” he said

“An investigation obviously comes first and then it’ll be up to the prime minister to take appropriate action, but the usual consequence of breaching the code is, of course, that you go.”

On Monday, Sunak—who just traveled to Japan for the G7 summit—is anticipated to meet Magnus. On Monday afternoon, Braverman is scheduled to appear before the Commons for Home Office inquiries, and Labour is likely to submit an urgent question.

In a development that was first reported by the Sunday Times and the Mail on Sunday, it was claimed that Braverman sought assistance from Home Office civil servants in an effort to avoid taking an online course where her name and face would be visible to other students after being caught speeding.

According to sources Officials from the Home Office sent an email to the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics unit asking if they could provide the home secretary with advice. They received an immediate refusal.

Braverman is thought to have gone to a political adviser when the civil servants declined to assist, who then attempted to convince the course provider to accept the plan. She decided to accept the three points on her license and pay the fine when they declined, instead.