Suella Braverman is “wrong” not to stand for the Tory leadership, according to Kwasi Kwarteng. 

The former chancellor said it was a “shame” and “disappointing” that Mrs Braverman had opted not to enter the race to replace Rishi Sunak. 

Asked if the former home secretary was “wrong” not to stand, Mr Kwarteng told GB News: “I think she is. I think she should make her case, try and make it to the MPs first and get the nominations which she said she had… and then she could, if she got those nominations, which she claimed she had, then she could have made a wider case not only to more MPs but to the country. 

“I think it is a shame that she isn’t standing. I think it narrows the debate somewhat. She has got support in the country at large.” 

He added: “I think she has to make the case. There are some pretty good, strong Right-wing candidates actually in the field and I think it is disappointing that she hasn’t taken that step.”

Mrs Braverman announced her decision last week to withdraw from the contest because she said the party did not want to hear the truth about why it had lost the general election.

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