The government has said cabinet ministers are not “above the rules” – amid reports that home secretary Suella Braverman tried to avoid attending a public speed awareness course with other motorists.
But environment secretary Therese Coffey refused to discuss her colleague’s alleged conduct in more detail.
The Sunday Times reported that Braverman – known for her uncompromising stances on law enforcement – asked Home Office aides to help organize a private course as part of an strive to avoid a fine and points on her licence. Officials refused the request, so Braverman allegedly revolved around a political aide.
The newspaper said the aide made several requests to a speeding awareness course provider, including a query if she could do an online route while utilizing an alias or having her camera switched off.
Braverman caught speeding last summer, ultimately accepted three points on her driving licence. But after the reports surfaced on Saturday, Rishi Sunak faces calls to launch an inquiry into the home secretary’s action.
Coffey, for the government on the Sunday ministerial shows, holds on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “I don’t think government ministers do think they are above the rules.”
But Coffey said, “Pretty much everybody has the choice to pay a fine, take points or go on a course”, without mentioning that most people don’t seek private one-on-one courses.
Suella Braverman was last night accused of striving a ‘cover-up’ after she was caught racing, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The Home Secretary asked civil servants to help her avoid being seen online at a speed awareness course, leading to claims she may have breached the Ministerial Code.
Ministers Must Abide by the Rules
Police caught Ms Braverman great the limit last summer when she was Attorney General. She was allowed to take three penalty points or do the course.
But sources say that after becoming Home Secretary, Ms Braverman asked officials to arrange a personal one-to-one session, so she could avoid both the points and being mottled by other motorists on the same course.
It is recognized that after the officials refused to cooperate – because Civil Service rules prevented them from dealing with personal matters – a political aide contacted the course provider instead.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman attempted to avoid speeding fines and points by asking for help from civil servants.
Braverman wanted to arrange a private one-to-one class instead of participating in the typical group driving awareness course.
It comes as The Sunday Times reports she attempted to make the arrangements after being caught race last summer, seeing the home secretary participate in an in-person course or online, meaning she would be visible to others.
Government’s Stance on Ministerial Immunity
To avoid being seen, Braverman asked a civil servant for help, who later refused, visiting the home secretary turn to a political aide to persuade the course lead for a private session.
But, when the appeal was refused, the home secretary pulled out of the course and clapped the three points on her licence.
Now Labour and the Liberal Democrats are vocations for Mrs Braverman to face an inquiry by the Prime Minister’s mentor on ministerial interests, Sir Laurie Magnus.
Suella Braverman strives to avoid a speeding fine.
Currently, rules mean that Rishi Sunak would have to commission his ethics tsar to look into the allegations, which Labour has proposed could breach the ministerial code — a set of ruling all ministers must abide by or face sanctions, counting potentially being sacked.
The PM has not stated whether he will launch an inquiry into the Cabinet minister despite demands from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
But he noted she “expressed regret” for speeding, as he discussed that topic at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
Sharing: “I don’t know the full feature of what has happened, nor have I spoken to the Home Secretary,” Mr Sunak said.
But, when the appeal was refused, the home assistant chose to pull out of the course and take the three ends on her licence.
Now Labour and the Liberal Democrats are vocations for Mrs Braverman to face an inquiry by the Prime Minister’s mentor on ministerial interests, Sir Laurie Magnus.
Suella Braverman attempted to avoid a speeding fine.
Currently, rules mean that Rishi Sunak would have to commission his ethics tsar to glance into the allegations, which Labour has proposed could breach the ministerial code — a set of ruling all ministers must obey or face sanctions, including possibly being sacked.
The PM has not expressed whether he will launch a study into the Cabinet minister even as demands from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
But he noted she “expressed regret” for speeding, as he discussed that topic at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
Sharing: “I don’t know the full respect of what has happened, nor have I stated to the Home Secretary,” Mr Sunak said.
