No.10 has attempted to rise above Suella Braverman’s damning claims published in a devastating attack letter this afternoon.
In a statement to journalists, a spokesman for the PM traded coded blows with his former Home Secretary, saying Mr Sunak “believes in actions not words”.
They passively aggressively added: “The PM thanks the former Home Secretary for her service”.
No.10’s attempt to slap down Ms Braverman came after she published a three-page-long attack on Mr Sunak following her Monday morning sacking.
She tore chunks out of Mr Sunak, accusing him of “betrayal” over key policies.
“We have endured record election defeats, your resets have failed and we are running out of time. You need to change course urgently.”
Ms Braverman also accuses the Prime Minister of showing a “lack of interest” in her agenda of stopping the boats and cutting migration, as well as having “wasted a year” in trying to get the Rwanda policy over the line.
She added: “I can only surmise that this is because you have no appetite for doing what is necessary, and therefore no real intention of fulfilling your pledge to the British people”.
No.10 added in their official response: “The Prime Minister was proud to appoint a strong, united team yesterday focused on delivering for the British people.
“The Prime Minister believes in actions not words. He is proud that this government has brought forward the toughest legislation to tackle illegal migration this country has seen and has subsequently reduced the number of boat crossings by a third this year.
“And whatever the outcome of the Supreme Court tomorrow, he will continue that work.”
Crucially, however, Mr Sunak’s spokesman did not deny claims by Suella Braverman that the PM had agreed to a four-point policy plan with his former Home Secretary, and has now shown disregard for upholding his side of the bargain.
No. 10 wasn’t alone in criticising the outspoken right-winger following her letter’s publication.
Conservative MP Will Wragg joked that the letter reminds him of Kenneth Williams’ line from the 1964 classic, Carry on Cleo: “Infamy! infamy! They’ve all got it in for me!”
The Lib Dems’ Home Affairs spokesman said Ms Braverman’s letter was a damning reflection on both her and the Prime Minister.
He said: “Confirms that Braverman became Home Secretary not because she was qualified for the job but for her political support.
“Damning for her, damning for a weak Prime Minister who needed her backing to get into power.”
Ms Braverman’s attack on the Prime Minister is expected to continue tomorrow when she will respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Government’s flagship Rwanda deportation policy.
