Leaked Whatsapp messages involving Ipswich MP Tom Hunt have revealed a rift in the Conservative party following Suella Braverman’s homelessness comments.
The messages were first obtained by LBC and showed a discussion between several MPs, including Mr Hunt, as well as East Devon’s Simon Jupp, Devizes’ Danny Kruger, Ashfield’s Lee Anderson, Hartlepool’s Jill Mortimer, and Gloucester’s Richard Graham.
The discussion started after Mr Graham shared his tweet addressing the Home Secretary’s decision to push for restrictions on the use of tents by rough sleepers in England and Wales.
Tone matters. It’s our duty to calm not inflame: to reduce, not increase, tensions.
— Richard Graham (@RichardGrahamUK) November 7, 2023
The language of the Home Secretary whether on tents or on marches is unhelpful to cohesion in our communities and is not in my name: nor does it reflect how we tackle issues in Gloucester
Mr Graham criticised Braverman’s inflammatory language on tents and marches, adding it was "unhelpful to cohesion" and "did not reflect" how issues are tackled in Gloucester.
Mr Hunt went on to say: “If you have concerns about the Home Secretary, Richard, I’m sure there are private ways of feeding your concerns in.
“It’s incredibly unhelpful for you to start taking public pot shots.
“I may have concerns about a number of ministers but I don’t take to Twitter [now X] and start slagging them off.”
Read more: Ipswich homelessness charity's 'extreme frustration' at Suella Braverman's comments
Ms Mortimer added it was "akin to washing dirty linen".
Mr Anderson added to Mr Hunt’s comments: “Quite right Tom. I thought we were supposed to criticise the opposition, not one of our own.
“Maybe I got politics all wrong.”
Read more: Ipswich ranks 17th in councils hit by rising homeless cost
Following these comments, Mr Graham said he would "zip his mouth" for "general relief", but added his comments weren’t "comfortable" and there was "nothing personal".
Ms Mortimer continued: “It would have been a greater relief if you’d never unzipped but your gracious climb down is accepted.”
Commenting on these messages, Ipswich’s Labour candidate Jack Abbott said: “It’s rare I agree with Tom Hunt, but on this occasion I do – I also have concerns about a number of Conservative ministers.
“However, in what will come as little surprise to people in Ipswich, the town’s current MP doesn’t believe it’s his duty to calm, not inflame, tensions.”
Mr Hunt and those involved were approached for comment.
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