Reform UK Issues Legal Ultimatum to Conservative Leader Over Mental Health Comments
Reform UK has delivered a stark legal warning to Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, demanding she issue a public apology to former home secretary Suella Braverman regarding claims about her mental health. The party has set a deadline of Friday at 4pm for the apology to be made, failing which they have indicated that legal proceedings will be initiated.
Legal Letter Details Demands and Accusations
In a formal letter dispatched to Conservative Party headquarters on Wednesday, Reform's legal representatives stated that Ms Braverman "reserves all her rights" should Ms Badenoch fail to comply with their demand for a public apology. A party spokesman confirmed to The Independent that this position explicitly includes the possibility of pursuing legal action through the courts.
The controversy stems from a statement issued by the Conservative Party on Monday, which contained remarks about Ms Braverman's mental health following her high-profile defection to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The statement, which Ms Badenoch later acknowledged should not have been released and for which she offered an apology, asserted: "The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella's mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy."
Reform's Rejection of Conservative Explanations
Reform UK has firmly rejected the Conservative leader's explanation that the statement was disseminated in error, characterising this justification as wholly inadequate. The party contends that Ms Badenoch has not issued a direct apology to Ms Braverman herself regarding the specific content of the remarks.
The legal letter argues forcefully that the publication's intent appears malicious, stating: "It is entirely unclear why it was published other than to harm Ms Braverman with malice." Furthermore, Reform has demanded that the Conservative Party formally acknowledge that the reference to Ms Braverman's mental health is factually incorrect.
Defamation Concerns and Charitable Criticism
The correspondence from Reform's lawyers outlines serious defamation concerns, noting: "That allegation is plainly capable of carrying a defamatory meaning, namely that Ms Braverman was suffering from a mental health condition affecting her judgement or fitness, and that this was known to, and managed by, her former party." It categorically states that the claim is untrue and that Ms Braverman does not suffer, and has not suffered, from any such condition.
Mental health charities and political figures have widely criticised the original Conservative statement. Brian Dow, deputy chief executive of Rethink Mental Illness, emphasised that mental health should never be weaponised for political gain, warning against using the issue as a "political football". He stressed that employers must never disclose details about the mental health of current or former staff members.
When contacted for comment on Thursday evening, the Conservative Party declined to respond to the latest developments. The situation remains tense as the Friday deadline approaches, with significant political and potential legal ramifications hanging in the balance.
