BLACK MPs and campaigners have expressed concern over what they believe will be the lasting negative impact of departing home secretary Suella Braverman’s time in office.

Braverman was sacked after defying prime minister Rishi Sunak over an article in the Times accusing the Metropolitan Police of bias in the policing of protests, criticising officers for “playing favourite” to left-wingers in their handling of pro-Palestine marches that took place on Armistice Day. 

James Cleverly, who had been foreign secretary, has been appointed to replace her as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Cleverly said: “It is an honour to be appointed as Home Secretary. The goal is clear. My job is to keep people in this country safe.”

In a later statement he said: “It’s been a huge privilege to serve as foreign secretary. And in that time, I’ve worked very closely with my colleagues in the Home Office cracking down on illegal migration, reducing the number of small boat arrivals.

“And now, as the home secretary, I’m absolutely committed to stopping the boats, as we promised, but also making sure that everybody in the UK feels safe and secure, going around, going about their daily business, knowing that the government is here to protect them. So it’s a fantastic job and it’s a real privilege to serve.”

Asked about some of the controversial comments of his predecessor, he said: “Well, I intend to do this job in the way that I feel best protects the British people and our interests.

“I have had a very good conversation with the prime minister, who’s made it very clear that [he] wants us to deliver on our promises to stop the boats, to the British people, make sure everybody feels secure in their lives.”

MP for Streatham Bell Ribero-Addy welcomed the prime minister’s cabinet shake-up but raised concerns about much of Braverman’s far- right leaning comments while in office.

Writing on X, Ribero-Addy said: “Glad to see the reactionary home secretary sacked. However, the PM’s hesitation and backlash from Conservative MPs and the membership over her dismissal shows this brand of far-right politics is still a shaping force in the current Conservative Party.”

Brent MP Dawn Butler was highly critical of what she described as Braverman’s use of “hateful racist language” throughout her tenure as home secretary. 

She said: “Suella Braverman should never have been appointed – her hatefulness, divisive, racist rhetoric overflowed.

“She will get security for the rest of her life. But how about everyone else who she’s put in danger? I hope we never see her again in front-line politics.”

Other commentators were equally critical.

Kehinde Andrews, a lecturer in Black Studies at Birmingham City University, said: “Before we start celebrating remember 1. She was sacked for criticising the police, 2. Last time we thought it couldn’t get any worse than Priti Patel and 3. They have called on the next Black/Brown person to be the face of racist policies.”

Afua Hirsh, an author and broadcaster, said: “I remember having to explain that not only are brown ppl capable of racism, but colonialism gave many a deep self loathing, which was then weaponised against other brown ppl. To SuellaBraverman, for educating an entire nation on what this looks like – thank you for your service.”

Windrush campaigner Jacqueline McKenzie said: “I reported #SuellaBraverman for a hate crime when she leaked a false dossier on me so as to unleash her base. But more importantly, she put thousands of lives at risk during her reign. Her sacking won’t undo the worst effects of her tenure, but it is very welcomed by me.”