In a desperate bid to contain a rapidly spreading political wildfire, the Conservative Party has issued a formal apology for a statement that linked former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s defection to her "mental health." The party now claims the incendiary briefing, which sparked widespread outrage, was a "draft sent out in error" and does not reflect their official position.

The "error" excuse has done little to quell the anger directed at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ). [...](asc_slot://start-slot-21)The original statement, released shortly after Braverman announced she was joining Reform UK, read: "It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-23)The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella's mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy."

The "Draft" Defense

Political insiders are skeptical of the "draft" explanation, viewing it as a clumsy cover-up for a calculated attack that misfired. "You do not accidentally draft a statement accusing a former Cabinet minister of mental instability unless that is exactly what you intend to say," noted one Westminster commentator. The revised statement, issued hours later, pointedly omitted the offending sentence, focusing instead on political arguments.

Nigel Evans, a former Conservative MP, branded the tactic an "absolute disgrace" and "completely underhand," highlighting the deep fractures within the party. The incident has reinforced the perception of a party that has lost its moral compass in the face of electoral annihilation.

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• Reform UK's Response: A spokesperson for Reform UK dismissed the Tory explanation, calling the original statement "not true" and a "testament to the extent to which the Tory party is in panic mode."
• Weaponizing Health: Mental health charities have criticized the party for using well-being as a political football, warning that such rhetoric stigmatizes those genuinely struggling.

A Gift to Farage

Suella Braverman, a Cambridge-educated barrister and former Attorney General, has not publicly responded to the personal nature of the attack, but her allies say it vindicates her decision to leave. "If this is how they treat their own, why would anyone stay?" one ally remarked.

For the Conservative Party, the "sent in error" apology is a humiliation that underscores their disarray. Instead of debating Braverman on policy, they have been forced to apologize for their own venom, handing Nigel Farage and Reform UK a moral victory on day one of the defection.