Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that Rishi Sunak must launch a formal ethics investigation into whether Suella Braverman broke the ministerial code amid a row over a speeding fine.
Ms Braverman, the home secretary, had been caught speeding last summer while serving as attorney general, and initially opted to attend a driving awareness course rather than accept a fine and incurring points on her licence.
But the Sunday Times reported that Ms Braverman had asked civil servants to help organise a private driving awareness course instead of signing up for one with other motorists that would reveal her name and face to other participants.
When such moves were refused, Ms Braverman chose to take the three points on her licence, the paper reported.
The Labour leader said that “from what we know it looks as if inappropriate action took place from the home secretary”.
The prime minister is due to consult Sir Laurie Magnus, his ethics adviser, on the matter, amid growing pressure to launch an investigation into the actions of his home secretary — as he did over Nadhim Zawahi’s tax affairs.
Asked what should happen if Ms Braverman was found to have breached the code, Sir Keir told BBC Breakfast: “Well, the ministerial code is pretty clear that if you break it you are supposed to go but I don’t want to get ahead of myself because 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 I think the right thing to do is a proper investigation”.
Allies of Ms Braverman have briefed that fear she is the victim of a smear campaign amid her efforts to crack down on migration.
Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union that represents civil servants, has told Sky News this morning that home secretary Suella Braverman must be investigated for a potential breach of the ministerial code.
He told Kay Burley: “The ministerial code is clear that you have to separate out your private interests as a minister from your public duties, including the perception of any conflict with that.”
He added that a speeding fine is an “entirely personal matter” so if civil servants were instructed to do anything in relation to it, it would amount to a breach of the ministerial code.
Mr Penman said: “Civil servants are publicly funded. They’re paid for by you and me. They’re not there to support the personal interests of a minister. They don’t do their shopping, they don’t look after their children and they don’t sort out their speeding fine.”
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Sunak refused to back the home secretary when asked about the row at the end of the G7 meeting by a reporter.
“I don’t know the full details of what has happened, nor have I spoken to the home secretary”, he said. I think you can see first-hand what I have been doing over the last day or so, but I understand that she’s expressed regret for speeding, accepted the penalty and paid the fine.”
Speaking on the Sky News yesterday, environment secretary Therese Coffey said it was “perfectly normal” if people are given points for speeding, but maintained that she was unaware of all the details referred to in the newspaper.
Meanwhile, Ms Braverman is due before the commons for home office questions at 2.30 pm today.
