Fresh from claiming the scalp of Dominic Raab, is the civil service now after Suella Braverman? The Sunday Times reports this weekend that the Home Secretary wanted civil servants to help her ‘dodge’ a speeding fine, amid much grumbling about the government’s migration policies. Plus ça change…

Mr S read the latest reports with intrigue. The Home Secretary was caught speeding last summer, and, as is standard, was offered to either attend a speed awareness course or have three points on her licence. Braverman apparently asked civil servants to arrange ‘a private one-to-one driving awareness course’, but the civil servants responded that this was not within their remit. The Home Secretary instead asked a political aide whether they might help arrange a private class with the course providers. When that failed, Braverman accepted the three points on her licence. And, er, that seems to be it…

It appears Braverman was trying to avoid being recognised by a member of the public on the course, but is that particularly contemptible? Did her position mean it was a weighted request?

‘The revelations raise questions about whether she breached the ministerial code by directing civil servants to help with her personal affairs, and whether she has complied with the Nolan principles of public life’, says the Sunday Times report, amid allegations the Home Secretary has breached the ministerial code. Government critics are already calling for Sunak to prove his is a premiership of integrity and sack her.

Given the events happened a little while back, Mr S can’t help but find the timing rather curious. After all, Braverman’s speech on migration last week came at a time of strained relations between ministers and the civil service. The speech also rattled figures on Braverman’s own side — with senior figures in government frustrated at the Home Secretary’s antics — which MPs to the left of the party claim are part of a brazen leadership bid. It seems someone out there is keen to take the Home Secretary down a peg or two…