Grant Shapps replaces Suella Braverman as Home Secretary

After an evening of chaos, Grant Shapps replaced Suella Braverman as Home Secretary. Carl Dinnen reports.

Suella Braverman has resigned as home secretary following a meeting with the prime minister.

Downing Street has confirmed that she will be replaced by Grant Shapps, who previously served as transport secretary and supported runner-up Rishi Sunak in the Conservative party leadership contest.

Speaking outside the Home Office, Shapps told reporters: “Obviously it has been a turbulent time for the Government.

“But the most important thing is to make sure the people of this country know they’ve got security. That’s why it’s a great honour to be appointed as Home Secretary today.

“I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role providing the security the British people need regardless of what’s happening otherwise in Westminster.

“So I’m looking forward to getting on with the job.”

Ms Braverman, who stood to be leader of the Tory party, had been in the job since the 6th of September.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Liz Truss, the former home secretary said she had send "an official document from my personal email to a trusted parliamentary colleague."

She said this breach of security protocol meant she had to resign from her role.

But further on in the letter, she said it was a "tumultuous time" and said she had "concerns about the direction of this government."

She said: "Not only have we broken key pledges that were promised to our voters, but I have had serious concerns about this government's commitment to honouring manifesto commitments."

Responding, Liz Truss thanked Ms Braverman for her service and said "It is important that the Ministerial Code is upheld, and that Cabinet confidentiality is respected."

Generally viewed as sitting on the right wing of her party, Ms Braverman stood on a platform of reducing immigration, and cutting taxes and public spending.

During an event at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, she told a panel it was her "dream" and "obsession" to see a flight carrying migrants depart for Rwanda. 

Her departure follows the sacking of Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor, following a mini-budget statement that sent shockwaves through the financial markets.

Earlier this afternoon Ms Truss cancelled a planned visit to a factory. Her office didn't give a reason for the decision at the time, and only said it was due to "government business."

The exit of the Home Secretary will create further challenges for Ms Truss as she struggles to maintain her grip on power.

Adding to another tumultuous day one of the prime minister's advisors was reportedly suspended on investigation this morning.

Jason Stein is alleged to have described the former chancellor and health secretary, Sajid Javid, as "s***".

According to ITV News's Political Editor, Robert Peston, Mr Javid was poised to ask a question regarding Mr Stein's behaviour at Prime Minister's Questions today - but held back on condition that Stein be suspended and an investigation launched.

Suella Braverman’s departure as home secretary is the latest in a “carousel of Conservative chaos”, the Liberal Democrats have said.

Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said: “This is a government in chaos. People should not be forced to watch the Conservative party implode day after day while real people suffer.

“There is a of cost of living catastrophe, health service crisis and now a rudderless Home Office.

“The only solution now is a general election so the public can get off this carousel of Conservative chaos.”

Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, said: “This Tory government is falling apart at the seams. To appoint and then sack both your home secretary and chancellor within 6 weeks is utter chaos. This is no way to run a government. “Suella Braverman has admitted breaching security procedures which raises serious questions. There are also reports of major disputes about policy and we have had weeks of disagreements. We need an urgent statement from the prime minister. Home affairs, security and public safety are too important for this kind of chaos."

The SNP's leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, commented: "My goodness re-arranging the deckchairs as the ship goes down.

"This is a government of perpetual chaos. There is no vision other than a desperate and undying desire to stay in office. This government is past its sell by date."