Suella Braverman’s dubious claim she “contributed” to a legal textbook when working as a lawyer is being assessed by the barristers’ regulator.
The home secretary claimed in an online CV to have been “a contributor” to a regulatory book titled Gambling for Local Authorities, Licensing, Planning and Regeneration by Philip Kolvin KC.
But Kolvin told The Big Issue in October she made “no written or editorial contribution”, adding: “However on one occasion I asked her to do some photocopying for the book, which she did.”
It has now emerged the story sparked a complaint of “potential serious misconduct” from a fellow barrister to the Bar Standards Board, which regulates barristers and investigates wrongdoing.
The complaint, first reported by Private Eye and seen by The Big Issue, was made in early October and accused Braverman of a “dishonest statement made out of self interest to promote her career”.
It reads: “The ‘Big Issue’ has recently reported that in her profile on the Website of Number 5 Chambers, removed apparently at short notice on 30 September 2022, Ms Braverman claimed to have contributed to a textbook Gambling for Local Authorities: Licensing, Planning and Regeneration (Institute of Licensing, 2010) edited and primarily written by Philip Kovin KC.