Priti Patel vs Suella Braverman: Conservative infighting erupts over multiculturalism and refugees

In a dramatic escalation of tensions within the Conservative Party, Home Secretary Priti Patel has accused Attorney General Suella Braverman of making an “attention seeking“ attack on multiculturalism, just hours after Patel herself blasted “pampered, out-of-touch“ celebrities like Elton John and Gary Lineker over their criticism of the government’s handling of the refugee crisis. Braverman’s speech to a Washington DC think tank on Friday sparked a furious backlash, with critics accusing her of promoting a divisive and xenophobic agenda. In her speech, Braverman argued that multiculturalism had “failed“ in the UK and that the country needed to adopt a more “muscular“ approach to integration. Patel’s intervention on Saturday came as a surprise to many, given that she and Braverman are both members of the right wing of the Conservative Party. However, it is clear that Patel is concerned that Braverman’s comments have damaged the government