Suella Braverman ‘demeaned’ herself by criticising the Board, says Ellman
Dame Louise Ellman has used a speech at a Board of Deputies meeting to criticise the Home Secretary over her decision to use a speech at a CST dinner to condemn the communal organisation
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Suella Braverman “demeaned” herself by using a speech at a communal dinner to attack the Board of Deputies, Dame Louise Ellman has claimed.
Speaking to the Board of Deputies, the ex-Labour MP also praised Board president for her decision to raise concerns about the government’s Illegal Migration Bill.
Ellman said:”The Jewish community has a very special role in dealing with refugee and immigration issues, it is important we use our experience to speak out.”
The Jewish Labour Movement’s Deputy spoke out at the Board’s plenary on Thursday evening, making reference to Braverman’s attack on the Board as she spoke at last month’s Community Security Trust dinner.
Without naming the Board the home secretary had claimed “communal organisations” should not enter debates such as the one over the government’s policy towards those attempting to cross the Channel on small boats, because opinion was split on “left” and “right” political grounds.
But Ellman said she “applauded” the Board president, after the organisation issued a statement questioning the validity of the migration bill on legal issues around international law.
She added of the Board:”I hope that we stick to our guns and say the right thing.
“i do think the statement by the home secretary criticising what the Board said really demeaned her, and I think undermined her status as home secretary.”
Ellman also warned:”As we approach the general election over the coming months I suspect the rhetoric coming from the government on immigration and refugee issues will get worse and even more unpleasant.”
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