Suella Braverman WON'T face investigation over speeding
24.05.2023 - 10:33
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Suella Braverman will not face an investigation for asking officials if she could take a private speed awareness course.
However, her handling of the situation has been criticised by the Prime Minister. Rishi Sunak, who consulted his ethics adviser over the issue, did not order a formal investigation.
Mrs Braverman was accused by opponents of breaching the code by asking taxpayer-funded civil servants to help her with a private matter over a speeding offence. She later accepted a fine and penalty points on her driving licence
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Mr Sunak highlighted that his decision is "these matters do not amount to a breach of the ministerial code". But in a letter to Mrs Braverman he said: “As you have recognised, a better course of action could have been taken to avoid giving rise to the perception of impropriety.”
In her letter to Mr Sunak, the Home Secretary said: “I sought to explore whether bespoke arrangements were possible, given my personal circumstances as a security-protected minister. I recognise how some people have construed this as me seeking to avoid sanction – at no point was that the intention or outcome.
“Nonetheless, given the fundamental importance of integrity in public life, I deeply regret that my actions may have given rise to that perception, and I apologise for the distraction this has caused.”
Mrs Braverman was caught speeding in June 2022, while she was attorney general, and given the option of three penalty points or a group speed awareness course. She said she decided to take the course and had booked a slot, but after being made Home Secretary in September she asked officials whether the group session was appropriate “given my new