Rishi Sunak considering investigation into Suella Braverman's conduct over speeding fine, Downing Street says

Rishi Sunak is considering whether to launch an investigation into Suella Braverman’s conduct, his official spokesperson has said.

Number 10 said the Prime Minister was “still looking at all the requisite information” before ordering a probe.

The Conservative leader has faced calls by opposition parties to investigate whether the home secretary broke the ministerial code by asking taxpayer-funded civil servants to assist with a private matter.

It’s over claims she asked civil servants to arrange a one-on-one speeding awareness course, rather than joining fellow motorists on the programme which allows people with minor offences to avoid incurring points on their licence.

Rishi Sunak has not yet decided whether to launch an investigation into his home secretary's conduct. — Rishi Sunak has not yet decided whether to launch an investigation into his home secretary’s conduct. STV News

The home secretary has insisted she did “nothing untoward”.

She admitted speeding, paid a fine and took penalty points on her driving licence.

The Prime Minister has asked his ethics adviser about the issue but opposition parties are calling for an urgent investigation into the matter, accusing him of “dither and delay”.

During an urgent question in the House of Commons, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner asked “How many strikes” before the home secretary is “out”?

She said: “After days of dither and delay … the Prime Minister still hasn’t decided whether there should be an investigation by his ethics adviser.

“When can we expect to know what the Prime Minister is thinking on this matter?”

Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin told MPs: “The Prime Minister made clear to the House yesterday that he is receiving information on the issues raised.

“Since returning from the G7, the Prime Minister has met both the independent adviser and the Home Secretary and asked for further information.

“It is right that the Prime Minister, as the head of the executive and the arbiter of the Ministerial Code, be allowed time to receive relevant information on this matter.

“Honourable members will be updated on this in due course.”

Braverman previously stood down as home secretary under Liz Truss for breaking the ministerial code.

Suella Braverman is accused of breaking the ministerial code. No10 Downing St

SNP cabinet office spokeswoman Kirsty Blackman has also raised concerns amid reports that Braverman failed to disclose her previous work with the Rwandan government before she became an MP.

The Independent reported that in 2011 she helped co-found a charity that trained Rwandan government lawyers between 2010 and 2015.

As home secretary, she has been a proponent of the Rwanda policy, which sends some migrants who arrive in the UK on a one-way flight to the east African country.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman did not comment directly on the report but said: “Ministers are required to make the requisite declarations.

“And if the independent adviser thinks they are of issue they are then declared. That’s an important distinction.”

Several Tory MPs came to the defence of the home secretary on Tuesday.

Among those who spoke from the backbenches in support of Braverman was Sir Edward Leigh, who told his fellow MPs: “All this moral outrage is ludicrous that a minister asked her private office about something and she takes their advice.

“We all know what this is all about; they’re attacking a good Home Secretary who is trying to attack the real scandal of mass immigration to this country.”