In the midst of the political and economic unrest in Britain, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigned, claiming she had broken government regulations. But she also voiced misgivings about the incoming prime minister Lizz Truss’s administration’s course.
Braverman made her decision public on Wednesday in a letter to UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Braverman said in the letter, which she posted on her Twitter profile, that she used her personal email to send a colleague a draft ministerial statement that had not yet been made public in order to gain support for her position.
She called the behavior “a technical violation of the regulations” and described it as such.
The letter states, “I am deciding to tender my resignation with the deepest regret.
“Earlier today, as part of policy engagement and in an effort to win support for the government’s immigration policy, I emailed an official document to a dependable parliamentary colleague from my personal email. Technically, the rules have been broken here.
“As you are aware, the paper was a draft written ministerial statement on migration that was soon to be published. The MPs were already briefed on the most of it. However, it is right for me to leave.
As soon as I realized my error, I immediately contacted the cabinet secretary and reported it through appropriate procedures. I hold myself to the highest standards as home secretary, thus it is the appropriate thing for me to resign.
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“The operation of government depends on people taking ownership of their errors. Serious politics is not about pretending we haven’t made mistakes, acting as if no one can see that we have, and wishing for a quick fix. I apologize; I take responsibility; and I resign.
“It is clear to everyone that we are living in turbulent times. I’m worried about the way this government is going. Not only have we breached important promises made to our voters, but I have grave doubts about this government’s commitment to upholding obligations made in the manifesto, like lowering overall migration rates and halting illegal immigration, especially the risky small boat crossings.
Serving in the home office has been a great honor. Even in the short time I have been here, it has been abundantly evident that much work has to be done in order to meet the priorities of the British people.
“They need policing they can trust, an immigration policy they support and showed such clear support for in the most recent election, and laws that suit the interests of the general people rather than those of egotistical protestors.
“I am extremely appreciative of all the assistance I received from my officials, special advisers, and ministerial team while serving as home secretary. I want to honor everyone who works for the border force, our security services, and the brave policemen and women in particular.
“I am glad for the opportunity to serve and consider it a great honor to have been given the responsibility of leading Operation Bridges, the greatest policing operation in a generation. I wish my replacement luck.
Truss has in the meantime accepted her resignation.
“I accept your resignation and hold the decision you took in the highest regard. The ministerial code must be upheld, and cabinet confidentiality must be honored, the British prime minister wrote in a letter.
Braverman’s departure occurs while Truss is under pressure to step down due to the financial crisis in the UK.
The change also occurs just a few days after UK Prime Minister Kwasi Kwarteng fired him as chancellor of the exchequer after 38 days in office.
While there was a growing call for the government to regulate immigration numbers, Braverman remained outspoken about her “aspirations” to reduce the overall migration figure up until her retirement.
Additionally, she had promised to amend the law to stop immigrants from traveling across the English Channel in small boats.
Former transport secretary Grant Shapps is anticipated to become home secretary.
