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UK government advisor quits with blast at Home Secretary

Saturday, 10 December 2022 4:13 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 10 December 2022 5:07 PM ]

Nimco Ali, UK government’s independent adviser on tackling violence against women

The UK government's adviser on tackling violence against women has effectively quit her role, blasting the Home Secretary Suella Braverman for her approach on women’s rights.

Speaking on Times Radio on Friday, Nimco Ali hit out at the current head of the Home Office and said she “wouldn’t feel comfortable” staying in the job and serving alongside her.

Ali was at pains to say that she and Home Secretary are on “completely different planets” when it comes to tackling violence against women.

“I'm just saying that Suella and I are on completely different planets when it comes to the rights of women and girls, and also the way that we talk about ethnic minorities, and specifically people like me who are from a refugee background,” she noted.

Asked if she would stay in post despite disagreements with Braverman, she said: “No. I'm committed to ending violence against women and girls, and I think there’s many avenues in order to continue that.”

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However, the Home Office said they had not received any formal resignation from Ali and so far there has been no decision about appointing someone else to the role.

Ali, who was appointed to her role by then Home Secretary Priti Patel in October 2020, also stressed that she might not have the same feminist ideals with Braverman.

Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper depicted Ali’s decision “damning for Suella Braverman,”

Referring to the Home Secretary, she said: “those around her clearly don't think she’s capable of doing the job.”

“It shows how weak Rishi Sunak was to appoint her. More chaos at the heart of this Tory government,” she added.

Braverman was first appointed as home secretary by Liz Truss in her short tenure, but was sacked over a security breach which broke the ministerial code.

Nonetheless, she was re-appointed to the role by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak six days later, with Labour Leader Keir Starmer accusing him of doing a “grubby deal” with her to secure her support for the Conservative leadership contest.

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