U.K. PM Liz Truss vows to stay, but is on brink after Suella Braverman’s resignation

Ms. Truss faced more turmoil in Parliament on October 19 evening on a vote over fracking for shale gas — a practice that she wants to resume despite opposition from many Conservatives

British Prime Minister Liz Truss described herself as “a fighter and not a quitter” on October 19 as she faced a hostile opposition and fury from her own Conservative Party over her botched economic plan. Within hours of the defiant statement, her government was teetering on the verge of collapse.

A senior member of the government left her post with a fusillade of criticism at Ms. Truss, and a House of Commons vote descended into acrimony and accusations of bullying,

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she resigned after breaching rules by sending an official document from her personal email account. She used her resignation letter to lambaste Ms. Truss, saying she had “concerns about the direction of this government."

“The business of government relies upon people accepting responsibility for their mistakes,” she said. “Pretending we haven't made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone can't see that we have made them and hoping that things will magically come right is not serious politics.”

Ms. Braverman is a popular figure on the Conservative Party’s right wing and a champion of more restrictive immigration policies who ran unsuccessfully for party leader this summer, a contest won by Ms. Truss.

Ms. Braverman was replaced as home secretary, the minister responsible for immigration and law and order, by former Cabinet minister Grant Shapps. He's a high-profile supporter of Rishi Sunak, the former Treasury chief defeated by Ms. Truss in the final round of the Conservative leadership race.

Ms. Truss faced more turmoil in Parliament on October 19 evening on a vote over fracking for shale gas — a practice that she wants to resume despite opposition from many Conservatives.