Rabbi Romain defends home secretary Braverman as a ‘refreshing difference’
Maidenhead Synagogue's Jonathan Romain appeal on LBC to discuss the controversy over Suella Braverman's appointment and said it was 'absolutely true' the minister made a mistake, but she had 'owned up to it immediately...'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Rabbi Jonathan Romain has leapt to the defence of the new home secretary claiming it is a “refreshing difference” to see her own up to her mistake of a data breach under former Prime Minister Liz Truss
On Tuesday, Suella Braverman was controversially re-appointed into the home secretary’s role by new PM Rishi Sunak.
Sunak justified his decision telling MPs in the Commons on Wednesday: “The home secretary made an error of judgment but she recognised that, she raised the matter and she accepted her mistake.”
Appearing on LBC to discuss the matter with presenter Iain Dale, controversial Maidenhead Synagogue rabbi Romain said it was “absolutely true” Braverman had made a mistake, but she had “owned up to it immediately…”
He then added: “What a refreshing difference from so many other people we have seen over the last three or four years.
“All credit to her. Having paid the price and not having expected to come back into cabinet so quickly, she actually has come back.”
Dale pointed out that “normally when you resign you do not come back until you’ve won your seat in a general election.”
The rabbi then denied he was “holding a candle out to Suella Braverman.”
Dale responded: “Sounds like it to me.”
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain: 'I mean I'm not holding a candle up for Suella Braverman."
Iain Dale: "Sounds like it to me!" @IainDale | @RabbiRomain | #CrossQuestion pic.twitter.com/euamyW41C5
— LBC (@LBC) October 25, 2022
In her resignation letter to Truss, Braverman hinted at disagreements over immigration policy expressing concern that the government was not delivering on commitments to tackle illegal migration.
In a further observation Romain noted how both Braverman and Sunak came from immigrant family backgrounds, as, he said, did he.
The rabbi said: “There might have been an expectation amongst some that people who are from immigrant families would therefore be more compassionate to current immigrants.”
He added: “Clearly they are not taking that attitude… they see themselves as British.
“They don’t see themselves as in the American system, partly American, Afro-American Jewish-American whatever it is.
“I don’t particularly agree with her policy, it’s just fascinating to see the change in dynamics we have got.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the new PM of doing a “grubby deal” with Ms Braverman to secure her support in the recent Tory leadership contest.
He also asked if officials had raised concern over the appointment.
Sunak avoided the question but argued bringing Ms Braverman back into cabinet brought “experience and stability” to government.
A No 10 spokesperson later denied reports that Simon Case – the head of the civil service – had been “livid” about the appointment.
After facing some criticism for his comments on the radio Romain later tweeted: “Yes, it did sound like I was defending Braverman, but actually I was trying to make a more general point (obviously badly) that people make mistakes (in politics, at work, in relationships) and if they have apologised/paid a penalty, we should allow them to move on if appropriate.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
