Suella Braverman has made her first public comments following her sacking as home secretary this morning.

Number 10 sources confirmed that Ms Braverman had been "asked to leave Government" by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and she had accepted.

The Conservatives said Mr Sunak is carrying out a wider reshuffle which “strengthens his team in Government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future”.

After being sacked, Suella Braverman said “it has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as home secretary”, adding: “I will have more to say in due course.”

Suella Braverman sacked as home secretary

Ms Braverman's position had come under increasing scrutiny following an article she wrote for the Times, published on Thursday.

Bury Times: Suella Braverman has called for 'further action' to be taken against pro-Palestinian protesters

In the article Ms Braverman criticised what she called “pro-Palestinian mobs”, and said protest scenes were “disturbingly reminiscent” of those seen in Northern Ireland.

The home secretary also accused the Met Police of a “double standard “over their handling of protests.

Over the weekend, it emerged that Downing Street had not signed off on the article.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats said the Prime Minister had shown “sheer cowardice” in keeping Suella Braverman in post as home secretary for as long as he did, as the party demanded a general election.

Sir Ed Davey said: “Suella Braverman was never fit to be home secretary. Rishi Sunak knew this and he still appointed her.

“It was the Prime Minister’s sheer cowardice that kept her in the job even for this long. We are witnessing a broken party and a broken Government, both of which are breaking this country.

“This whole sorry saga has shown the Conservative Party for what they truly are – an unruly mob more focused on fighting and undermining each other rather than standing up for their constituents and fixing the country that they have broken.

“They need to put us all out of our misery and call a general election now.”

Cabinet ministers resign

Veteran schools minister Nick Gibb has announced he has quit the government and will not stand at the next general election.

“Over the last few weeks I have been discussing taking up a diplomatic role after the general election,” he said.

“To enable me to do so I have asked the Prime Minister if I can step down from the government at the reshuffle and he has agreed.”

He added: “I campaigned for Rishi last Summer and I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the Prime Minister’s leadership.”

Health minister Neil O’Brien also announced that he is stepping down.

One of the responsibilities Mr O’Brien had in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) was for tobacco and addiction.

He was due to play a key role in delivering Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s effective ban on smoking and vaping in the younger generation.

Tweeting a picture of a child’s arts-and-crafts style sheep, the Harborough MP wrote: “It’s been a privilege to serve at DHSC.

“Great ministerial team and spads (special advisers) and some fab officials.

“But with so much going on locally I want to focus 100% on constituency work so have asked to go to back benches. I’m also keen to see more of our two small children (artwork attached).”