Screenshots released to The Sunday Times appear to show profanity-laden conversations from Sir Gavin Williamson, with a warning that “everything has a price.”
Ed Miliband has demanded an “immediate independent probe” into the reappointment of Sir Gavin Williamson, who has been accused of bullying.
The new Cabinet Office minister allegedly sent threatening text messages to the former chief whip, Wendy Morton, after being barred from the Queen’s funeral for political reasons along with other colleagues.
The shadow climate secretary for Labour warned against a “cover-up” or “whitewash” about the allegations against Sir Gavin.
Mr. Miliband stated that the issue “really puts into question Rishi Sunak’s judgment and how he made cabinet decisions,” adding that Sir Gavin’s reappointment was “not in the public interest.”
He proceeded: “We are already aware of the entire Suella Braverman situation: her reappointment six days after her resignation.
“Oliver Dowden’s inability to deny that Rishi Sunak was aware of the possible intimidation of the chief whip, Wendy Morton, by Gavin Williamson was glaring. Despite this, he reappointed Rishi Sunak.
“As far as the Conservative Party leadership was concerned, Rishi Sunak made decisions solely for his limited short-term advantage, and not in the national interest.
“And there must be an immediate independent probe of what transpired. We cannot have a cover-up or a whitewash in this situation.
What was Rishi Sunak aware of? When did he realize it? What actions did Gavin Williamson take, and what are the repercussions?”
Oliver Dowden told Sophy Ridge earlier in the broadcast that the Prime Minister was aware of the “difficult relationship” between Sir Gavin and the then-chief whip, but “was unaware of specific claims” until “yesterday night.”
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster stated that the Prime Minister still has confidence in Sir Gavin, who was recently appointed as a Cabinet Office minister, and that there are no current intentions to remove him from his position.
Mr. Dowden stated that Sir Gavin “regrets the language he used” and suggested that a lot of people have a “difficult relationship” with Ms. Morton.
Screenshots published in The Sunday Times purport to show profanity-laced texts from the South Staffordshire MP, including a warning that “everything has a price.”
Another message adds, “It’s extremely unfortunate that unfavored [Privy Councillors] were not invited to the funeral.”
A source confirmed the accuracy of the communications’ contents.
When asked about the claims, Mr. Dowden stated, “He (Mr. Sunak) was aware of the tense relationship between the chief whip and several backbenchers, including Gavin Williamson.”
Sir Gavin regretted sending the messages to Ms. Morton during a “tough moment” for the Conservative Party, according to Mr. Dowden.
“In the heat of the moment, these were sent to show frustration. It was a time of difficulty for the party. He now acknowledges that he should not have done it and regrets having done so. Thankfully, we are now in a better position as a group.”
Mr. Dowden proceeded: “He had no right to send those texts. And he expresses regret for it. However, the prime minister continues to have faith in Gavin Williamson’s abilities as a minister.”
“Dowden’s careless defense of Williamson is inexcusable”
The former secretary of culture, Nadine Dorries, rejected Mr. Dowden’s defense of Sir Gavin.
“Oliver Dowden argued that Williamson’s behavior was justifiable due to his challenging connection with Morton. Any woman would respond similarly to any male who attempted to intimidate, bully, or threaten her. Oliver Dowden’s careless defense of Williamson is completely and utterly unjustified “She made a social media post.
Sir Jake Berry, the former chairman of the Conservative Party, has stated that he informed Mr. Sunak that a charge of bullying had been filed against Sir Gavin the day before he visited Number 10.
Sir Gavin has been asked for his opinion.
The Cabinet Office minister was cited in the Sunday Times as saying: “Obviously, I regret being agitated at how my coworkers and I felt we were being handled. I am pleased to chat with Wendy, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with her in the future.”
Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, accused Mr. Sunak of disregarding the complaint and demanded that Sir Gavin be fired.
Downing Street has stated that it will have no comment.
A Conservative Party representative stated: “The Conservative Party has a comprehensive complaints procedure. This procedure is appropriately confidential, allowing complainants to come forward in confidence.”
Sir Gavin was fired as defense secretary in 2019 over the leakage of private information from the National Security Council.
After Boris Johnson appointed him education secretary, he was ousted from the government in 2021 due to controversies surrounding the grading of exams during the pandemic.
It is the second big scandal surrounding Mr. Sunak’s cabinet nominations; the Prime Minister was previously criticized for appointing Suella Braverman as a home secretary just days after she was fired for security violations.
