Tories say mental health claim about Suella Braverman was ‘sent out in error’

The Conservative Party retracted a statement suggesting Suella Braverman's potential defection to Reform UK was linked to her mental health. The statement, released on Monday, claimed the Conservatives had tried to support Braverman's mental health, implying unhappiness within the party. A Conservative spokesperson apologized, stating the message was "sent out in error." The withdrawal followed criticism from various political figures. Braverman, a former Home Secretary, has not defected to Reform UK, but the initial statement speculated about the timing of such a move. The incident occurred amidst ongoing political developments in the UK.

British lawmaker Suella Braverman has defected to Reform UK, a right-wing party led by Nigel Farage. Braverman, a former home secretary, accused her former party of lying to voters over immigration. Her defection brings the total number of lawmakers in Reform UK to eight. The party is currently polling ahead of Labour and the Conservative parties, although no national election is expected until 2029. Braverman's move follows that of Robert Jenrick, who announced his departure from the Conservatives earlier this month. At a Reform UK rally, Braverman stated that "Britain is indeed broken" and expressed her desire to fix the country.

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, becoming the third Tory MP to join Nigel Farage's party in recent days. Braverman, MP for Fareham and Waterlooville since 2015, announced her resignation from the Conservative whip and party membership at a Reform UK event in London, citing her belief in a better future for Britain. The Conservative Party responded critically, questioning her motives and mental health. Farage stated that he had been in talks with Braverman for at least a year. Braverman explained her decision by stating that Britain is broken and needs to be fixed. Her defection brings Reform UK's total number of MPs to eight.