Rishi Sunak says he regrets Gavin Williamson appointment

Prime minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday mentioned he regretted appointing Sir Gavin Williamson as a minister, and that he was not conscious of particular bullying allegations referring to the previous cupboard member.

Williamson, who was appointed minister with out portfolio final month, resigned on Tuesday after a flurry of tales concerning his conduct. The MP for South Staffordshire is going through an inquiry by parliament’s Unbiased Complaints and Grievance Scheme and a probe by Downing Avenue amid allegations that he advised a senior civil servant to “slit your throat” and despatched threatening textual content messages to former chief whip Wendy Morton.

Talking at prime minister’s questions within the Home of Commons, Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer described Williamson as a “pathetic bully” who had been enabled by the prime minister, and requested Sunak whether or not he regretted the appointment.

In response, Sunak mentioned: “Unequivocally, the behaviour complained of was unacceptable and it’s completely proper, it’s completely proper, that the suitable honourable gentleman has resigned.”

He added: “For the report, I didn’t learn about any of the precise issues referring to his conduct as secretary of state or chief whip, which date again some years.”

The prime minister mentioned individuals in public life “ought to deal with others with consideration and respect”, rules that his authorities would abide by.

He added: “I clearly remorse appointing somebody who has needed to resign in these circumstances, however I feel what the British individuals wish to know is when conditions like this come up, that they are going to be handled correctly.”

In his resignation letter on Tuesday, Williamson mentioned he was resigning “in order that I can comply absolutely with the complaints course of that’s underway and clear my title of any wrongdoing.”