Sunak urged to sack Braverman over ‘deeply offensive’ article on pro-Palestinian marches

Labour was joined by the Liberal Democrats in calling on Mr Sunak to sack Ms Braverman, with party leader Sir Ed Davey accusing Ms Braverman of “putting police officers in harm’s way”.

“The home secretary’s irresponsible words and foul actions have significantly increased the likelihood of unrest this weekend and the risk of violence towards officers,” he said.

Rishi Sunak has been demanded to sack Suella Braverman after she accused the Metropolitan Police of “playing favourites” with how it handles controversial protests.

Ms Braverman has been chastised for using “inflammatory” language in a Times story.

The home secretary called pro-Palestinian demonstrators “hate marchers” once more, adding, “I do not believe these marches are merely a cry for help for Gaza.”

“They are an assertion of primacy by certain groups – particularly Islamists – of the kind we are more used to seeing in Northern Ireland.

“Also, disturbingly reminiscent of Ulster are the reports that some of Saturday’s march group organisers have links to terrorist groups, including Hamas.”

She also claimed that the pro-Palestine marches taking place across the UK were “hate marches” comparable to those seen in Northern Ireland, comments that were deemed “wholly offensive and ignorant.”

Labour’s shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds branded Ms Braverman “out of control” and said Mr Sunak should “of course” sack her if he had not signed off on the article.

“Where is the prime minister on this?” he asked. “Do we believe the prime minister signed off that kind of inflammatory rhetoric? He won’t tell us.

“If you have a home secretary that is so out of control, so divisive, so inflammatory, undermining the police and, therefore, the national security and safety of the public, that’s not someone who should be home secretary.”

We have confirmed that Downing Street did not fully sign off the home secretary’s article. It is understood Number 10 were sent it and suggested changes that were not then carried out.

Meanwhile, Labour was joined by the Liberal Democrats in calling on Mr Sunak to sack Ms Braverman, with party leader Sir Ed Davey accusing Ms Braverman of “putting police officers in harm’s way”.

In an urgent question in the House of Commons, policing minister Chris Philp defended Ms Braverman and said it was “reasonable for politicians” to raise “concerns and make sure that the police are protecting those communities”.

Mr Sunak confirmed on Wednesday that the pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day would take place, but he added that Sir Mark would be held “accountable” for his decision to approve the event.

Tens of thousands of people have marched in London in recent weeks in protest of Palestinian deaths in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with 29 arrested during a fourth week of rallies last Saturday, during which fireworks were thrown.

The protest will take place “well away” from the Cenotaph, from Hyde Park to the US embassy, about a mile from the war memorial in Whitehall, and will begin after the 11am pause.

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