GAVIN Williamson has resigned from Rishi Sunak’s government as allegations of bullying mount against him.
The now former minister jumped before he could be sacked from Cabinet by a third prime minister.
Boris Johnson fired Williamson – a close ally whom he later gave a controversial knighthood – as education secretary after the exams scandal during the pandemic, and Theresa May sacked him as defence secretary over a leak from the National Security Council.
Pressure had been mounting on Sunak to also drop the Tory MP from government after fresh allegations emerged about his “unethical and immoral” behaviour.
No 10 is probing claims that Williamson told a senior civil servant to “slit your throat”, while the Tory party and Parliament’s bullying watchdog are looking into allegations made by former chief whip Wendy Morton.
However, Williamson has now tendered his resignation before any of those probes could conclude.
In a letter sent to Sunak and made public, Williamson wrote: “Dear Prime Minister, As you know, there is an ongoing complaints process concerning text messages I sent to a colleague. I am complying with this process and have apologised to the recipient for those messages.
“Since then, there have been other allegations made about my past conduct. I refute the characterisation of these claims, but I recognise these are becoming a distraction for the good work this government is doing for the British people.
“I have therefore decided to step back from government so that I can comply fully with the complaints process that is underway and clear my name of any wrongdoing.
“It is with real sadness that I tender my resignation, but I want to take this opportunity to offer my full and total support from the back benches. I am incredibly proud to have worked with you in government over the last few years and during the campaign.”
— Gavin Williamson (@GavinWilliamson) November 8, 2022
The Prime Minister has issued a response, saying he accepted Williamson's resignation "with great sadness". However, Sunak said he supported the decision to quit.
The Tory leader’s decision to give a Cabinet-level role to the twice-sacked minister has led to questions about his judgment from critics.
No 10 said on Tuesday that Sunak still maintains confidence in Williamson – who was regarded as a key figure in Sunak’s campaign over the summer to become party leader – but indicated that the Prime Minister would act if necessary.
In the latest disclosures, former deputy chief whip Anne Milton accused Williamson of seeking to use an MP’s financial difficulties as leverage against them and sending an expletive-laden email about a female civil servant.
Milton, who was deputy chief whip from May 2015 to June 2017, described his behaviour as “unethical and immoral”, claiming: “I think he feels that he’s Francis Urquhart from House Of Cards.”
Milton, who was stripped of the Tory whip during the Brexit rows in 2019 and subsequently lost her seat, told Channel 4 News: “I got the impression that he loved salacious gossip, and would use it as leverage against MPs if the need arose.”
She told the broadcaster that Williamson had a rant about civil servants in 2016 in response to a female official asking why a minister had to change travel plans for a vote.
“Always tell them to f*** off and if they have the bollocks to come and see me,” he said in an email, according to Milton.
“F****** jumped up civil servants.”
She said that when the whips’ office gave some financial assistance to an MP, Williamson told her that when she handed over the cheque she should make sure “he knows I now own him”.
Williamson (below), who had been a minister without portfolio before his resignation, only had his responsibilities named on Tuesday.
These newly-revealed ministerial responsibilities included the Geospatial Commission, the Government Communications Service and the “GREAT Campaign” to promote the UK.
Angela Rayner, UK Labour's deputy leader, said the resignation was a "damning reflection of a weak Prime Minister".
She went on: "Rishi Sunak appointed Gavin Williamson with full knowledge of serious allegations about his conduct and repeatedly expressed confidence in him.
“This is yet another example of Rishi Sunak’s poor judgement and weak leadership. It is clear that he is trapped by the grubby backroom deals he made to dodge a vote, and is incapable of putting country before party.
“As families struggle during a cost of living crisis made in Downing Street, yet another Tory government has descended into chaos.”
