Downing Street is investigating whether the Home Secretary broke the ministerial code in a newspaper article before an anti-Israel march on Saturday.

1

Rishi Sunak had so far last night batted away calls to sack her on the spot, despite her refusal to obey orders from No10 to tone down the piece.

In the article, for The Times, Ms Braverman said aggressive right-wing and nationalist protesters “are rightly met with a stern response” yet pro-Palestinian mobs who do the same “are largely ignored”.

She added: “Unfortunately, there is a perception senior police officers play favourites when it comes to protesters.”

Labour called her comments “dangerous”, saying they risked fuelling tensions before the Armistice Day march while leader Sir Keir Starmer said she was “out of control”.

Yet Tory Miriam Cates said her language “reflects public mood” and fellow Conservative Sir John Hayes called her the party’s “only hope”.

Another senior Tory MP said Ms Braverman was “critically important” to the party because she provided a link to the many grassroots Conservatives who “back all she’s saying and doing 100 per cent”.

Tech minister Paul Scully, however, said her comments were fuelling hatred.

Another Tory MP said the PM was seen as weaker than predecessor Liz Truss who did sack Ms Braverman for sending an email from a personal account.

Former Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Tom Winsor said she crossed the line by breaking the convention not to question police independence.

Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister continues to believe the police will operate without fear or favour.”