British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday faced first ministerial trouble as one of his close allies and embattled ministers resigned from the Cabinet pending an investigation into allegations of bullying against him.
Sir Gavin Williamson, who was minister of state without portfolio as of yet was accused of abusive behaviour towards fellow Conservative Party colleagues and civil servants after which he posted his resignation on Twitter.
Mr Sunak said he accepted Williamson’s resignation “with great sadness” and thanked him for his “personal support and loyalty”.
“Your commitment to successive Conservative governments and the party over the years has been unwavering,” he said.
However, a relentless Opposition came down heavily on the Sunak government saying terming the episode as “poor judgement and leadership” by Mr Sunak.
The row over Williamson’s conduct has been brewing since the weekend, with reports that outgoing Conservative Party chairman Jake Berry told the newly-appointed Prime Minister about the “bullying” complaint against Williamson on 24 October, a day before his appointment to the Sunak Cabinet.
Downing Street has maintained the new Prime Minister “knew there was a disagreement” but that he didn’t know the “substance” of the messages until they were published by ‘The Sunday Times’ newspaper.
“This is a damning reflection of a weak Prime Minister,” said Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner.
“Rishi Sunak appointed Gavin Williamson with full knowledge of serious allegations about his conduct and repeatedly expressed confidence in him. This is yet another example of Rishi Sunak’s poor judgement and weak leadership. It is clear that he is trapped by the grubby backroom deals he made to dodge a vote, and is incapable of putting country before party,” she said.
The reference to “yet another” is to the reappointed Suella Braverman as UK Home Secretary just weeks after she was forced to resign for breaking ministerial rules by sending an official document from her personal email.
“Rishi Sunak has serious questions to answer about why he appointed Gavin Williamson, then stood by him instead of sacking him. His promise to lead a government of integrity has now been left in tatters,” said Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper.