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Gavin Williamson. PA

Gavin Williamson resigns from UK government after bullying allegations

The former cabinet minister is facing a series of inquiries into his conduct.

GAVIN WILLIAMSON HAS resigned from Rishi Sunak’s Government after bullying allegations were made against him over a series of text messages he sent to a colleague.

The former cabinet minister said he had decided to step down from his position while he faces a series of inquiries into his conduct. 

In a series of expletive-laden texts exposed over the weekend, Williamson accused former chief whip Wendy Morton of seeking to “punish” MPs out of favour with then-premier Liz Truss by excluding them from Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, warning: “There is a price for everything.”

The Conservative party and the UK parliament’s bullying watchdog began looking into the allegations made by Morton.

Separately, Downing Street also launched an informal fact-finding exercise over fresh allegations that Williamson had told a senior civil servant to “slit your throat” and on another occasion, told them to “jump out of the window”.  

In a letter this evening, Williamson recognised that the allegations against him had “become a distraction” for the government. 

“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,” he wrote. 

“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.”

His appointment had called into question Sunak’s judgement, having appointed him to his Cabinet when he knew he was facing a bullying investigation. 

Downing Street previously said that Williamson maintains the full confidence of Sunak, who insisted he would not act against the Cabinet Office minister until the outcome of the Tory party investigation.

Sunak told broadcasters travelling with him to the COP27 climate summit in Egypt that he would not be “passing judgment” until after an “independent complaints investigation”, understood to be the internal investigation launched by the Tory party.

“I want to see the results of that, obviously, but I’ve been very clear that language is not right, it’s not acceptable,” he said.

“And that’s why I welcome the fact that Gavin Williamson has expressed regret about that and now wait to see what the investigation says. There’s an independent complaints process that’s being conducted at the moment. It would be right to let that process conclude before making any decisions about the future.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer argued that the twice-sacked minister is “clearly not suitable” for the job and that Sunak appointing his ally to UK Government shows he is “weak”.

Following his resignation, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: “This is a damning reflection of a weak Prime Minister.

“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 judgment 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.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in a tweet: “This should be the third and final time Gavin Williamson is forced out of the Cabinet.”

Additional reporting from the Press Association

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    Mute Aisling Boyle
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    Nov 8th 2022, 9:23 PM

    From a Dub living in NI. Why, every single day, are the Irish news headlines about UK government. Brain melting and unnecessary I believe.

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Nov 8th 2022, 9:47 PM

    @Aisling Boyle: it seems to be deflections from the mess that FFG are making in Dublin

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    Mute A Well Known Comical Stereotype
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    Nov 8th 2022, 9:55 PM

    @Aisling Boyle: Part of Ireland, our country, is governed by the “UK” government. You say you live there. Many Irish people are impacted by what they do.

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    Mute Rmaybe
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    Nov 8th 2022, 11:59 PM

    @Aisling Boyle: because the UK government has been in free fall for about 6 years and what they fo impacts us our economy the land birder and Irish people living in Northern Ireland.
    We also report on American and European politics. If you’re not interested you don’t have to read it.

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    Mute Paddy Creaven
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    Nov 9th 2022, 7:14 AM

    @Aisling Boyle: because its the only blood sport we can enjoy guilt free

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    Mute Tipper Irie
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    Nov 9th 2022, 6:17 PM

    @Rmaybe: so how does this story impact us or the border?

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    Mute Seamus Quaide
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    Nov 8th 2022, 9:32 PM

    One needs to be a bollix to be a Tory…

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    Mute Bri Lyons
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    Nov 8th 2022, 9:17 PM

    He was right….there is a price for everything

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    Mute Ian James Burgess
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    Nov 8th 2022, 10:29 PM

    The never ending saga continues

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    Mute Jonathan Nolan
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    Nov 8th 2022, 10:17 PM

    Well done Gav. Best decision you’ve made in 10 years. Now, in your own immortal words, shut up and go away!

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    Mute Tommy Berry
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    Nov 8th 2022, 11:29 PM

    The tory gift who keeps on giving.

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Nov 8th 2022, 11:24 PM

    And the sleaze continues……

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