Rishi Sunak has said “regrets” appointing Sir Gavin Williamson to Cabinet and that it was “absolutely right that he resigned” in the wake of bullying claims.
However Mr Sunak, facing Labour leader Keir Starmer at PMQs on Wednesday, said he did not know about “any of the specific concerns” relating to Sir Gavin’s conduct as Secretary of State or chief whip.
His comments came after Sir Keir asked him in the Commons: “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?”
Former chief whip Wendy Morton had reported expletive-laden messages Sir Gavin sent her as he complained about being refused an invitation to the Queen’s funeral.
It then emerged Sir Gavin 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.
Sir Gavin said the allegations against him were “becoming a distraction for the good work this Government is doing for the British people” and was stepping back to “clear my name”.
This heaped further pressure on Mr Sunak, who has also faced criticism for reappointing Suella Braverman as Home Secretary after she was forced out for breaking the ministerial code.
