Claims of police bias not agreed by Downing Street

SUELLA Braverman has defied Rishi Sunak by publishing an explosive article in which she accused police of “playing favourites” with pro-Palestinian protesters without getting sign-off from Downing Street in advance.

The Home Secretary’s comments have been widely condemned and sparked a fresh row within the Conservative Party, after ministers have in recent days already sought to distance themselves from another broadside by Mrs Braverman.

In her Times piece ahead of a march calling for a Gaza ceasefire that is set to go ahead on Armistice Day despite UK Government objections, the Home Secretary said “pro-Palestinian mobs” are “largely ignored” by officers “even when clearly breaking the law”.

The article was submitted to Downing Street, but did not get signed off as significant alterations were requested, it was understood. The piece was published nonetheless.

“The content was not agreed by No 10,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said yesterday.

Contradicting Mrs Braverman’s claims of police bias, the official said: “The Prime Minister continues to believe that the police will operate without fear or favour.”