The British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, this Wednesday lamented the resignation of Gavin Williamson as minister without portfolio—who serves as deputy prime minister—and assured that he was not aware of the allegations against him. , former classmate after allegations of sending offensive messages
Williamson – a former defense and education minister – announced his resignation on Tuesday night after it became known the scope of some offensive messages he sent to former head of the conservative parliamentary group Wendy Morton and former staff, something that is currently under investigation. is subjected to.
In Wednesday’s control session in the House of Commons, opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer questioned Williamson’s appointment a fortnight ago and accused the prime minister of being “weak” to include him in his executive.
Sunak insisted today that Williamson did “good” at resigning and expressed regret for having hired him so that he could resign later under these “circumstances”.
While the prime minister was aware of the complaint against the now former minister without portfolio filed by Morton, he says he was not aware of the content of the complaints. Among them, the charge of an officer who accused Williamson of “slitting his throat” when he was in charge of the Defense Department.
“The reported behavior was unacceptable and it is absolutely true that the honorable gentleman (as the MPs are called amongst themselves in the Commons) has resigned. For the record, he is aware of any specific concerns relating to his conduct.” It was not,” the chief insisted. Minister.
“I believe that in public life, people should treat others with dignity and respect and that principle will prevail in this government,” he said.
According to the media, in mobile messages containing abusive language, Williamson accused Morton of excluding some deputies – like himself – from being able to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral for political reasons to “punish” him. charged up.
Sunak, who had succeeded Liz Truss two weeks earlier, brought back Williamson, much criticized after his time in education in Boris Johnson’s cabinet, which led to his sacking, as well as defence, for his new executive. A decision that from their very inception the mandate drew much opposition.
