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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Peter Walker Political correspondent

Gavin Williamson backed winners but made many ministerial mishaps

Gavin Williamson
Gavin Williamson was awarded a knighthood by Boris Johnson despite having been sacked as education secretary six months earlier. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

It is perhaps the greatest testament to Gavin Williamson’s mastery of the baser political arts that three separate prime ministers have seemingly found him indispensable despite his striking record of ministerial mishaps and, at times, sheer ineptitude.

Further evidence of Williamson’s political antennae comes from his parallel habit of backing winners: he was an early supporter of Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, proving invaluable in marshalling support among Tory MPs.

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