WATCH: Guardian Cartoonist Heckles Suella Braverman At Award Ceremony

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman invited a Guardian cartoonist who heckled her up on stage in a tense moment during Political Cartoon Awards on Tuesday night.

Braverman, known for her outspoken and often controversial approach, took centre stage at the 2023 Ellwood Atfield Political Cartoon Awards 2023 in London, engaging with the audience about the various depictions of politicians by cartoonists.

Proceedings became tense, however, when she discussed one cartoon that depicted her as the possessed girl from horror film The Exorcist.

“Which was described in one review as ‘disturbing in a very entertaining way,’” she said. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, I don’t think it is.”

“It’s not,” added Guardian cartoonist Rebecca Hendin from the crowd, evoking laughter.

“Would you like to come up?” Braverman taunted. “You’ve so much to say.”

The crowd jeered as Hendin approached the stage only to have an organiser intercept her and joke that “we’ll do the boxing match afterwards.”

Leaving the stage, Hendin quipped: “Love you. Love your work.”

The former Home Secretary continued her speech, humorously acknowledged other less-than-flattering portrayals of herself by various artists, including being likened to a “vampire bat, a cranky crayfish, a Halloween ghoul, a zombie, a devil, Morticia Addams, a murderous Chiron,” among others.

She praised these representations as integral to the freedom of the press, underscoring the importance of satirical portrayals in political discourse.

Braverman also seized the opportunity to address the potential purchase of the Daily Telegraph and The Spectator by Abu Dhab-backed ex-CNN head Jeff Zucker. She emphasised the importance of these publications in maintaining a free press and voiced her opposition to the takeover.

“The Telegraph is one of the bedrocks of our free press,” she commented. “And The Spectator is an irrepressible voice for challenging established orthodoxies.”

Braverman was fired mid-November from her role as Home Secretary by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after she authored an article in The Times criticizing the Metropolitan Police for their approach to a pro-Palestinian rally that had been planned for Armistice Day.