Rishi Sunak’s judgement in the spotlight as Sir Gavin Williamson quits over bullying claims | Politics News
Rishi Sunak will face PMQ this afternoon – hours after his ally Sir Gavin Williamson dropped the bullying claims.
The prime minister’s ruling is being questioned after it emerged that he had appointed Sir Gavin to a senior role despite becoming aware of an investigation into his conduct.
Sir Gavin’s departure as Cabinet Office Secretary comes shortly after a former civil servant – who claimed MPs told them to “slit his throat” – made a formal complaint.
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Williamson vows to ‘delete his name’
In his resignation letter, he vowed to justify his wrongdoing – and said he “rejects the character of these claims”.
“I realize that these things are becoming a distraction to the good work the government is doing,” Sir Gavin wrote to Mr. Sunak.
Sir Gavin – who has been sacked by Theresa May and Boris Johnson – is also accused of sending heavy messages to former chief Wendy Morton, where he complained about being turned down an invitation to Mrs. King.
He was also the subject of claims he bullied a former official at the Department of Defense and engaged in “immoral and unethical” conduct while he was caning.
Yesterday evening, Sir Gavin said he would not be accepting severance pay, tweeting: “This is taxpayer money and instead it will go towards government priorities such as reducing waitlists for employees. NHS.”
He quit after meeting with the prime minister last night.
Accepting his resignation “with great sadness”, Mr Sunak told Sir Gavin: “I would like to thank you for your personal support and loyalty.”
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Williamson’s language is ‘appalling’
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said that events suggest another Tory government has descended into chaos”.
She said: “This is another example of Rishi Sunak’s poor judgment and weak leadership. It is clear that he has been trapped by the horrible arrangements he has made to dodge a vote and are incapable of putting the country ahead of partisans.”
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “This must be the third and last time Gavin Williamson has been forced out of the cabinet.
“Rishi Sunak has serious questions to answer about why he appointed Gavin Williamson, then sided with him instead of firing him. His promise to lead an honest government. has now been abandoned.”
