Suella Braverman sacked by UK PM for comments on pro-Palestine march handling

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman, one of his most senior ministers, a government source said on Monday, following comments she made last week about the police's handling of a pro-Palestinian march.

Braverman had last week defied Sunak by publishing an article attacking the police's handling of the marches, which have been calling for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza that has so far killed more than 11,000 people.

Critics said her stance helped inflame tensions and encourage far-right protesters to take to the streets of London, putting Sunak under pressure to take action.

Calls for Braverman to step down had been growing louder for weeks, with criticism mostly aimed at her response to the protests that have been taking place across the UK since Israel launched its brutal assault on Gaza on 7 October.

The protests have continued to grow in size, with last weekend’s march seeing as many as one million people taking to the streets.

Braverman had relentlessly attacked the demonstrators, calling them "mobs", and branding the protests as "hate marches".

She also criticised protest organisers for holding a march during Remembrance Day weekend - though supporters of the protest were quick to point out that calling for a ceasefire on such an occasion was fitting.

Far-right groups held a counter-protest on Saturday that turned violent as they clashed with police in front of the Cenotaph war memorial. Video had also shown these "counter-protesters" hurling racist insults at passers-by in London.

Opposition politicians in particular condemned Braverman for her comments on the protests.

Labour leader Keir Starmer - a staunch supporter of Israel - accused Braverman of "sowing the seeds of hatred".

London mayor Sadiq Khan said that the violent scenes were "a direct consequence" of her words.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said that she should be sacked and not given the opportunity to resign.