Rishi Sunak has been told to sack Gavin Williamson as it was claimed he boasted he “owned” a Tory MP in financial difficulty.
A whistleblower, who worked as his deputy when he was chief whip, alleged he acted in an “unethical, immoral and shocking” way that instilled fear at Westminster.
Former minister Anne Milton accused Mr Williamson of using MPs’ mental and physical health problems as “leverage” as he attempted to control them.
Senior Tories called on the Prime Minister to oust him from Cabinet to end the “advent calendar” of daily sleaze allegations engulfing No10.
In a bombshell television interview, Ms Milton told how Mr Williamson instructed to give help to an MP with money problems.
“I do remember him asking me to give the MP in question the cheque,” she told Channel 4 News. “He waved it under my nose and said, 'Make sure when you give him this cheque, he knows I now own him’.”
Ms Milton added: “I don't think it was a joke. It was the seriousness with which he said it.” She said she gave the MP the cheque but didn’t pass on Mr Williamson’s message.
The ex-MP said his behaviour was “threatening” and “intimidating” during his time as chief whip between July 2016 and November 2016.
“It's an image he cultivates. I think he feels that he's Francis Urquhart from House of Cards,” she added.
Ms Milton also referred to claims of Mr Williamson collecting “salacious gossip”, for example details about the “sexual preferences” of MPs.
She added: "He loved all that. [He] would come into the office and say 'guess who enjoys, you know, some form of sex or another'.
"I found very distasteful apart from anything".
Ms Milton said an important role for the whip’s office is pastoral care, but: “I never really felt that with Gavin Williamson.
“I got the impression that he loved salacious gossip, and would use it as leverage against MPs if the need arose,” she went on.
She revealed how after a Tory MP had a heavy night drinking, he told her this could be used against him. In an email to her, Mr Williamson wrote: “I actually think best not to say anything to him. It just helps by giving you personally a little more leverage in future.”
On another occasion after a civil servant raised concerns about changing the travel plans of a minister, Ms Milton said Mr Williamson told her: “Always tell them to f*** off and if they have the bollocks to come and see me. F****** jumped up civil servants.”
The Cabinet Office has been contacted for comment regarding the claims.
Downing Street today launched an investigation into claims the scandal-prone minister told a senior civil servant to “slit your throat”.
The ex-Ministry of Defence official said he had reported him to the parliamentary authorities to be investigated.
In a statement, he said: “This was an incredibly difficult period for me. Gavin Williamson’s words and actions had an extreme impact on my mental health.
“Government ministers have a code of conduct that they are required to follow. Any form of abuse is unacceptable.”
Mr Williamson also faces probes by the Conservative Party and the parliamentary authorities into aggressive text messages he sent to ex-chief whip Wendy Morton.
Mr Sunak’s first fortnight in No10 has been dominated by rows over his choice of ministers including Mr Williamson and Home Secretary Braverman.
A senior Tory last night said the pair were “two barnacles” that need to be removed from the ship if his premiership is to remain on course.
Another of the party’s MPs told the Mirror: “What more does Rishi need to realise Gav shouldn’t be in Cabinet? It is like an advent calendar of sleaze - a new scandal each day.”
No 10 yesterday insisted Mr Sunak still maintains confidence in his ally despite the mounting allegations against him.
Downing Street is undertaking a fact-finding exercise and considering how to respond after a former Ministry of Defence official said Mr Williamson had told him to “slit your throat” and “jump out of the window”.
The Prime Minister's spokesman described the claims as “serious”. He indicated the PM would not feel the need to wait until the resolution of existing investigations to act.
"I don't think he necessarily feels that the idea would be for him to wait until both of those things have fully concluded," the official said.
"Obviously he would act if and when he felt it was appropriate to do so."
In a statement, Sir Gavin said: "I strongly reject this allegation and have enjoyed good working relationships with the many brilliant officials I have worked with across Government."
Cabinet Minister Mel Stride launched a bizarre defence of Mr Williamson yesterday by insisting the tarantula he kept on his desk when chief whip never actually attacked anyone.
"The reality with Cronus is he was much touted, but he never actually was released to bite anybody,” the Work and Pensions Secretary told Sky News.
