On Wednesday, the home secretary wrote an article for The Times newspaper - which was not signed off by Number 10 - attacking the force for "playing favourites" with left wing protesters, and accusing them of "double standards".

It followed her earlier remarks describing the demonstrations as "hate marches".

Politics live: Sunak warned to 'tread carefully' over Braverman row

Ms Braverman's comments have ignited a row within the Conservative Party, with some backing the home secretary, while others are calling for her to resign or be sacked.

Numerous ministers have also distanced themselves from the remarks, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who said on Friday: "The words that she used are not words that I myself would have used."

Opposition parties also accused her of picking a fight with the police, and demanded she be ousted from the Home Office.

But Number 10 continued to say they had "confidence" in her.

Now in an apparent climb down, the minister has met with the head of the force, Sir Mark Rowley, with a source close to Ms Braverman saying she "emphasised her full backing for the police in what will be a complex and challenging situation and expressed confidence that any criminality will be dealt with robustly".

The prime minister has been under increasing pressure to take action over Ms Braverman's comments about this weekend's protests that coincide with Armistice Day.

While the pro-Palestinian march is not set to take place until almost two hours after the nation holds a two-minute silence, and is not due to go to past the Cenotaph in Whitehall, some - including the home secretary - have branded the event offensive and inappropriate.

Sir Mark was summoned to Downing Street earlier in the week to discuss policing of the march with Rishi Sunak, who vowed to hold the most senior office in the UK "accountable" for what happens on Saturday.

But, despite airing his own concerns about the protest - calling it "disrespectful" - the prime minister conceded there was "a right to peacefully protest" and the march could go ahead.

The Met chief stood by his decision to let the protest take place throughout the week, saying the "legal threshold" to stop it on security grounds "had not been met".

However, despite the statements from both Mr Sunak and Sir Mark, the home secretary took to the papers to express her anger at the force's actions - and publicly contradict her party leader.

After causing a rift within the Conservatives - brought into sharp focus by WhatsApp messages leaked to Sky News - Ms Braverman now appears to be attempting to smooth over relations with the Met.

A source close to her said: "The home secretary and the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police met this afternoon to discuss the policing of demonstrations to be held tomorrow, on Armistice Day.

"The commissioner outlined plans to continue working to maintain public order, ensure compliance with the law and maintain the safety of participants, police officers and the general public.

"The home secretary emphasised her full backing for the police in what will be a complex and challenging situation and expressed confidence that any criminality will be dealt with robustly."

Earlier on Friday, the Met released details of the "significant" operation it planned to run in London over the weekend to ensure Remembrance services are protected from disruption by both the march and any counter-protests, which some fear may be held by the far right.

The force said more than 2,000 officers will be on the streets, an exclusion zone had been set up around Whitehall - where Sunday's main Remembrance event will take place - and putting a 24-hour police presence around the Cenotaph.

In a lengthy statement, they added: "We'll be using an extensive set of powers to prevent any disruption whatsoever to Remembrance events, policing the demonstration as it passes through parts of the capital, while protecting our communities from those intent on inciting hate, violence and disorder."

Shortly before news broke of Ms Braverman's meeting, the prime minister also issued a statement saying he had been "reassured" by the police over their operation that Remembrance services would be protected.