The former education secretary, who was twice sacked from the Cabinet and oversaw the exams fiasco during the Covid pandemic, is to be knighted. Downing Street said on Thursday that the Queen has approved the honour from Boris Johnson for Tory MP Gavin Williamson, who was widely criticised for a series of errors as education secretary.
The Prime Minister sacked Mr Williamson from that role in September and he was previously dumped as defence secretary following an inquiry into a leak from the National Security Council. No 10, asked why the knighthood was being announced now and not part of an honours list, said it was a political appointment by the Conservative Party.
A statement said: "The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP."
