Deepings MP Sir John Hayes backs Home Secretary Suella Braverman

MP Sir John Hayes has praised under-fire Home Secretary Suella Braverman for her ‘clear sightedness’.

The MP for South Holland and the Deepings was the intended recipient of the emails which resulted in his close ally Ms Braverman resigning for breaching the ministerial code under former Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Days later she was brought back into the role by Rishi Sunak - which has created some disquiet among the media and MPs, along with pressure for the new PM.

Yesterday, Ms Braverman admitted sending official documents from her Government account to her personal email on six occasions following a Home Office review into her conduct as Home Secretary.

Yesterday’s statement said that the circumstances related to virtual Home Office meetings and public lines for interviews.

Sir John is adamant that the email that was bound for him was a ministerial statement on immigration, which he says would have been made public anyway if Ms Braverman had not resigned.

There have been varying reports in the national media about the content of this email in recent weeks. There are also reports that Ms Braverman had also sent an email to Sir John’s wife Susan, who has a parliamentary email address.

Sir John, who is the leader of the Common Sense group of MPs and a member of the Privy Council, has defended Ms Braverman.

He said: “Like Suella Braverman, I want to see immigration to this country cut and I understand that the Labour Party and others don’t.

“They want unrelentless immigration.

“I can confirm that, in her, we have someone with determination, ability and clear sightedness to deliver what people voted for in 2019.

“With a record number of illegal crossings in the English Channel and people-traffickers gaming the system, it is time for action and the Home Secretary is the one to do that.”

Sir John and Ms Braverman have been reported in the national media to be in ‘lockstep’ over immigration.

He has previously referred to Ms Braverman as a great friend and he is also an advisor to the Home Secretary.

Speaking shortly after Ms Braverman’s first resignation on October 20 for the email, Sir John said: “The Home Secretary attempted to send me a draft statement she was going to make on immigration seeking my advice and guidance.

“She inadvertently sent it to the wrong address and someone else got hold of it.”

“I have advised her for a long time. I am flattered she was seeking my advice but had just made a simple error in terms of the process she adopted. But that is a matter for her not me.”

Events leading up to today:

• September 6, 2022: Fareham MP Suella Braverman was appointed by former Prime Minister Liz Truss as Home Secretary

• September 19, 2022: Braverman resigns as Home Secretary after admitting breaching the ministerial code by sending an email, which was bound for Deepings MP John Hayes, to the wrong email address

• September 20, 2022: South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss resigns as Prime Minister

• October 25, 2022: New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brings back Ms Braverman as Home Secretary