As defense secretary, Sir Gavin allegedly instructed a senior civil servant to “slit your throat”. Sir Gavin stated in a statement, “I categorically reject this claim.”
According to Downing Street, Rishi Sunak believes Sir Gavin Williamson’s account of events regarding the charges against him and continues to have confidence in the cabinet minister.
When serving as defense secretary, Sir Gavin allegedly threatened a senior civil official to “slit your throat.”
An ex-official from the Ministry of Defence told the newspaper that Sir Gavin advised them to “jump out the window” as part of what they perceived to be a prolonged campaign of intimidation.
The civil servant, who eventually left the government, told that Sir Gavin often “deliberately demeaned and threatened” them.
Sir Gavin denied the accusation in a statement, stating, “I have enjoyed wonderful working relationships with the many great government officials I’ve dealt with.
There have never been any particular allegations brought to my knowledge.
Before responding further, Downing Street termed the latest charges as “serious” and stated that it will consider “appropriate procedures.”
The official spokeswoman for the prime minister stated, “Clearly, there have been additional allegations reported this morning. These are grave allegations that have been received. Indeed, no formal complaint has been filed.”
The spokesperson also verified that Sir Gavin attended today’s cabinet meeting chaired by Mr. Sunak.
The senior civil servant who made the charges reportedly reported the instances informally to the MoD’s director of human resources, but they chose not to file a formal complaint.
They reported, however, that a senior military aide working in the department afterward apologized for not calling out his behavior.
The Cabinet Office has not received any formal complaints regarding Gavin Williamson’s conduct during his time at the Ministry of Defence or any other department, according to a Cabinet Office spokesperson.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told that if Sir Gavin made the reported statements, it would be “completely, completely inappropriate.”
“If this is true, it is completely, utterly terrible,” he added, adding that it is currently the subject of media conjecture.
Mr. Stride served in the Whips’ Office under Sir Gavin and described him as having “some sort of aura or mystique about him.”
Remember Cronus, the spider, the tarantula, etc. Cronus was well publicized, yet he was never actually released to bite anyone, as he explained to Kay Burley.
This is how I’ve always viewed Gavin: as someone who had a certain aura or mystique about him, but who, in reality, just went about his business.
Mr. Stride stated that he will not comment on anyone’s future, but when asked if he believes Sir Gavin will still be a Cabinet Office minister by Christmas, he responded, “I suspect so.”
Meanwhile, it was announced this morning that former chief whip Wendy Morton has referred another complaint against Sir Gavin, that he sent her “abusive” communications, to the parliamentary watchdog for an independent investigation.
The Cabinet Office minister was already the subject of an internal Conservative Party probe due to a series of allegedly threatening communications sent to Ms. Morton after he was excluded from the Queen’s burial.
Now, though, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme will examine the complaints as well.
Sir Gavin, a backbencher at the time the texts were reportedly exchanged, accused Ms. Morton of exploiting the monarch’s death to “punish” senior MPs who had fallen out of favor with the government of Liz Truss.
Originally obtained by The Sunday Times, the communications closed with Sir Gavin stating, “Well, let’s see how many more times you **** us over. Everything comes at a price.”
Jake Berry, former chairman of the Conservative Party, asserts he informed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that Ms. Morton had filed an official complaint about Sir Gavin’s behavior the day before he entered Number 10.
Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden stated that Mr. Sunak was aware of the “difficult relationship” between Sir Gavin and Ms. Morton, but “was unaware of specific charges.”
In response to Ms. Morton’s referral of her complaint against Sir Gavin to Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds stated that Mr. Sunak “must take responsibility and cease placing party management above national interest.”
Business Secretary Grant Shapps told reporters Tuesday morning as he entered Downing Street for a cabinet meeting that Sir Gavin had apologized for sending abusive communications to a colleague.
A spokeswoman for the Conservatives stated, “The Conservative Party has a thorough complaints procedure in place.” This procedure is appropriately confidential, allowing complainants to come forward in confidence.”
Sir Gavin served as defense secretary from November 2017 to May 2019 but was ousted by then-prime minister Theresa May amid a dispute involving a government leak.
Boris Johnson rehired him as education secretary two months later, but he has fired again in September 2021 following widespread criticism of his handling of the brief during the COVID pandemic.
Mr. Sunak rehired him two weeks ago to serve as a Cabinet Office minister who also attends cabinet meetings.
