Sir Keir Starmer described Sir Gavin as “a miserable middle management who enjoys scaring people below him” and “a cartoon bully with a pet spider.”
Rishi Sunak has stated that Sir Gavin Williamson’s resignation is “completely proper” and that he had “regretted” hiring him as a cabinet minister in light of the allegations against him.
The prime minister said he “was unaware of any specific concerns” regarding Sir Gavin’s alleged “unacceptable” conduct in his previous jobs.
Sir Keir Starmer had questioned the prime minister on the accusation that Sir Gavin had instructed a civil servant to slice their throat.
The Labour leader inquired, “How does the prime minister believe the victim of this bullying felt when he expressed profound regret about his resignation?”
Mr. Sunak replied: “Unquestionably, the behavior that was criticized was improper, and the right honorable gentleman’s resignation was entirely appropriate.
“For the record, I was unaware of the specific issues regarding his conduct as secretary of state and majority leader, which extend back several years.
I think that people in public life should treat others with consideration and courtesy, and my government will uphold these values.
Sir Keir later described Sir Gavin as “a miserable middle management who enjoys scaring people below him” and “a cartoon bully with a pet spider.”
The Labour leader added, calling the prime minister “so weak” for not removing Sir Gavin from his position, “What message does he think it sends when, rather than confronting bullies, he aligns with them and rewards them for their loyalty?” Sir Keir said.
Mr. Sunak replied: “I regret hiring someone who was forced to quit under these circumstances, but I believe the British people would like to know that such instances will be dealt with appropriately.
Therefore, it is very appropriate that he resigned and that an investigation is being conducted to investigate these concerns thoroughly. I stated that my government would be distinguished by its integrity, professionalism, and accountability, and this will be the case.”
Sir Gavin’s departure on Tuesday evening followed a formal complaint filed by a former civil servant who claimed the MP urged them to “slit your throat.”
Sir Gavin decided to retire after additional charges were made against him.
It is believed that he spoke with the Prime Minister in the early hours to tender his resignation.
In his resignation letter, the former cabinet member swore to cleanse his name of any wrongdoing and stated that he “disputes the characterization of these allegations.”
Sir Gavin responded to Mr. Sunak, “I recognize they are becoming a distraction to the fantastic work our government is undertaking.”
Mr. Sunak accepted Sir Gavin’s departure “with profound sadness” and thanked him for his “personal support and commitment.
Sir Gavin, who had previously been fired by Theresa May and Boris Johnson, was also accused of sending foul-mouthed communications to former chief whip Wendy Morton, in which he moaned about not being invited to the Queen’s burial.
As chief whip, he was also accused of intimidating a former official at the Ministry of Defence and engaging in “unethical and immoral” behavior.
Sir Gavin tweeted late last night that he would not be accepting severance pay, stating that the money should instead go toward government objectives such as lowering NHS waiting lists.
Senior Conservative lawmakers have stated that Sir Gavin “has been a bully for the majority of his career” and that his behavior has “always been widely known.”
A senior Tory member of parliament who served in cabinet with Sir Gavin told: “The fact that he is a bully is well-known and has always been well-known.
“His sole skill is bullying. Rishi made a mistake when he hired him.”
The senior MP also alleged that Sir Gavin, who served as Mrs. May’s chief whip, “modeled his whipping technique” after the American political show House of Cards.
Another senior Conservative lawmaker was even more scathing of Sir Gavin, describing him as “an absolute scumbag” who “never should have been permitted in government.”
The representative announced his appointment to Mr. Sunak’s cabinet “beyond the pale,” adding, “I’d be shocked if the Cabinet Office didn’t warn the prime minister that he would be given a poor look if he were hired.
“I have no idea why anyone would hire him, as he has been a bully throughout his entire career.
The spider in the box, the notion that he has an advantage over someone… it startled us all when he entered the cabinet.
The MP continued: “Completely incompetent and completely pitiful. He is a vile individual who contributes no worth whatsoever. Rishi believes he owes him, although he does not. If Gavin Williamson is the solution, I have no idea what the question is.”
The press secretary for the prime minister stated that the Forfeiture Committee would decide whether Sir Gavin should be stripped of his knighthood.
Sir Gavin’s third tenure in the cabinet was by far the shortest; he returned to the government barely two weeks ago when Mr. Sunak designated him, minister, without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.
