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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

Keir Starmer fillets Rishi Sunak over decision to appoint 'pathetic bully' Gavin Williamson

Keir Starmer has slammed Rishi Sunak over his decision to appoint "pathetic bully" Gavin Williamson to his Cabinet.

The Labour Party leader probed the Prime Minister after Williamson resigned on Tuesday evening following a number of bullying allegations.

Sunak has said it is "absolutely right" the Minister without Portfolio resigned and that he did not know about "any of the specific concerns" relating to his conduct as Secretary of State or chief whip.

Former chief whip Wendy Morton had reported expletive-laden messages Williamson sent to her as he complained about being refused an invitation to the Queen's funeral.

It then emerged he had been accused of bullying by a former official at the Ministry of Defence and engaged in "unethical and immoral" behaviour while he was chief whip.

Starmer asked Sunak at PMQs: "The member for South Staffordshire (Sir Gavin Williamson) told a civil servant to slit their throat. How does the Prime Minister think the victim of that bullying felt when he expressed great sadness at his resignation?"

Rishi Sunak replied: "Unequivocally, the behaviour complained of was unacceptable and it is absolutely right, it is absolutely right, that the right honourable gentleman has resigned.

"For the record, I did not know about any of the specific concerns relating to his conduct as Secretary of State or chief whip, which date back some years.

Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Common (PA)

"I believe that people in public life should treat others with consideration and respect, and those are the principles that this Government will stand by."

Sunak continued by saying: "I obviously regret appointing someone who has had to resign in these circumstances".

Starmer hit back: "The member for South Staffordshire (Sir Gavin Williamson) spent years courting the idea he can intimidate others, blurring the lines to normalise bullying behaviour.

"It's precisely why the Prime Minister gave him a job. The truth is simple: he is a pathetic bully but he would never get away with it if people like the Prime Minister didn't hand him power. So does he regret his decision to make him a Government minister?"

The Prime Minister replied: "I obviously regret appointing someone who has had to resign in these circumstances but I think what the British people would like to know is that when situations like this arise that they will be dealt with properly.

"And that's why it is absolutely right that he resigned and it's why it is absolutely right that there is an investigation to look into these matters properly. I said my Government will be characterised by integrity, professionalism, and accountability and it will."

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