Suella Braverman claims 'nothing untoward' happened over speeding offence as Rishi Sunak in talks with ethics adviser

The Home Secretary has claimed that 'nothing untoward' took place over her handling of a speeding offence.

Suella Braverman has come under pressure after reports emerged that she asked officials to try and arrange a private speed awareness course instead of receiving penalty points on her driving licence. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been in talks with his ethics adviser but it is understood that a decision is yet to be taken on whether to launch a formal investigation into the matter.

In her first public comments on the issue, Mrs Braverman failed to deny asking civil servants to intervene.

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Asked if she asked officials to arrange a one-to-one course for her, she said: “Last summer, I was speeding. I regret that. I paid the fine and I took the points but we’re focused now on delivering for the British people and working for them.”

When pressed on the same question, she said: “In relation to the process, I’m focused on delivering for the British people, doing my job as Home Secretary and what I will say is that, in my view, I’m confident that nothing untoward has happened.”

The speeding offence took place last year when Mrs Braverman was serving as attorney general. The row stems from a Sunday Times report that Mrs Braverman asked Home Office civil servants to help arrange a one-to-one driving awareness course, rather than the group session usually offered to motorists for minor speeding offences.

Officials are said to have refused the request, so Mrs Braverman allegedly turned to a political aide to assist her in attempting to arrange an alternative to a course with members of the public.

Downing Street confirmed that Mr Sunak spoke to his