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Sir Gavin Williamson should be stripped of his knighthood if bullying allegations against him are confirmed, the Liberal Democrats have said. Wendy Chamberlain, the party’s chief whip, has written to the Commons confiscations committee demanding the gong be withdrawn if the Staffordshire MP is found guilty. He was knighted by former prime minister Boris Johnson, who sacked him as education secretary over the A-level results fiasco. Earlier, new prime minister Rishi Sunak said he “obviously regrets” appointing Sir Gavin Williamson to his cabinet after he was forced to resign over allegations he bullied two colleagues. He denies the allegations. “Obviously I regret appointing someone who had to stand down in those circumstances,” the prime minister said in response to a question from Labor leader Keir Starmer at PMQs.
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ICYMI: Why are there so many allegations of bullying in the Conservative Party?
There is strong empirical evidence to suggest that an adult bully may have psychopathological tendencies such as narcissism and Machiavellianism, writes Victoria Richards. Read Victoria’s full article here: Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 5:00 p.m 1668012050
Keir Starmer noted Rishi Sunak’s weak spot at PMQs
The Leader of the Opposition was wise to repeat Tony Blair’s attack on John Major, writes John Redoul. Read John’s full article here: Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 4:40 pm 1668010250
Sunak welcomes the NATO leader at No 10
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg arrived at Downing Street for a meeting with Rishi Sunak. He is the first international leader to visit No 10 since Mr Sunak became prime minister, in a sign of concern over the situation in Ukraine and the importance of the Nato alliance. (REUTERS) Earlier, Mr Stoltenberg was hosted by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace at Camp Lydd in Kent, where Ukrainian volunteers are being trained to fight in the war against Russia. Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 4:10 p.m 1668009337
Policy chief Sunak donated £20,000 to him in the summer
A woman who donated £20,000 to Rishi Sunak’s leadership campaign in the summer has since been named his policy chief. Mr Sunak received a donation from Eleanor Shawcross on August 24, according to official records. The prime minister appointed Ms Shawcross – who sometimes goes by the name Wolfson (her husband’s surname), the one who donated the money – as his policy chief after forming a government last month. Ms Shawcross previously served as a non-executive director at the Department for Work and Pensions and also advised former chancellor George Osborne. Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 3:55 pm 1668008150
Braverman must explain the arrest of the journalist covering climate protests
Home Secretary Suella Braverman should be called to the Commons to explain and apologize for her treatment of journalists covering protests, MPs have heard. Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper (St Albans) said: “I was horrified to see LBC reporter Charlotte Lynch arrested by Hertfordshire Police yesterday while covering the Just Stop Oil protests on the M25 in my constituency, while other journalists were also detained covering otherwise similar protests in Hertfordshire.’ The MP added: “I have written to Hertfordshire Police today and they have now issued a statement. They said they had asked an independent force to review their approach to identify any evidence and have taken some additional measures. in other words “there’s nothing to see here”. “We are not an authoritarian state. The ability of journalists to do their jobs unhindered is a vital part of our democracy. “Therefore, given the seriousness of these incidents and the fact that Parliament will be in recess tomorrow, could you please advise me, Mr Deputy Speaker, as to how the House can invite the Home Secretary to this place to issue a statement offering an explanation, an apology and an assurance that this will never happen again?’ Nigel Evans, deputy speaker, said he had received no indication from Ms Braverman that she intended to make a statement in the Commons. Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 3:35 pm 1668007184
Stormont MLA pay cut should target DUP – Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill questioned why Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris did not target pay cuts to DUP MPs who refused to cooperate with the devolved institutions. “I think it would be more effective to target it at those people who actually fail to show up and join the rest of the group who really want to be here to make the policy work,” he said. Her comments came after Mr Heaton-Harris confirmed he would bar MPs over their failure to form a devolved government in an ongoing row over Northern Ireland’s Brexit protocol. Ms O’Neill said Northern Ireland now faced the prospect of a “rigged Tory budget” being imposed on the region. “He (Mr Heaton-Harris) has obviously been empowered to set a budget that allows the lights to be kept on, but doesn’t allow for new decisions, doesn’t allow us to really plan for the future, doesn’t allow us to invest and give priority in our health service, it does not allow us to deal with the issue of public sector pay, so I do not think it is a good position. “So the DUP has put us in a position where we have an unadulterated Tory budget with no filter in terms of local decision-making, no filter in terms of local ministers making decisions in the best interests of the people who live here.” Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 3:19 p.m 1668005619
Businesses should tell government to leave EU law alone, says incoming TUC chief
British businesses must tell the government to leave EU law alone, the new head of the TUC has said. Paul Nowak said “repealing the employment laws” he inherited from the EU would not be in the top 10 priorities for “the UK’s most serious businesses” and company bosses should not be “fearful” about saying so to the government. Christopher McKeon has the story: Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 2:53 p.m 1668004550
Sunak is ‘as bad’ as Truss, SNP says
Ian Blackford has accused Rishi Sunak of being “just as bad” as Liz Truss as he criticized the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Sir Gavin Williamson to his government. Sir Gavin, the MP for Staffordshire South, resigned on Tuesday night amid allegations he bullied two of his colleagues, claims he continues to deny. Mr Blackford, leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons, also asked Mr Sunak if he supported his predecessor Boris Johnson’s efforts to elevate some of his allies in the House of Lords to the honors list for his resignation. Watch the exchange below: Full exchange: Ian Blackford says Rishi Sunak is as bad as Liz Truss during PMQs Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 2:35 p.m 1668003665
Jeremy Corbyn says he’s living ‘rent-free’ in Rishi Sunak’s head after third PMQs attack
Jeremy Corbyn has said he is living “rent-free” in the Rishi Sunak front, after the Prime Minister backed down on attacking the former Labor leader at PMQs for the third week in a row. Mr Sunak again raised Sir Keir Starmer’s previous support for Mr Corbyn as he struggled to deal with questions over his decision to appoint “cartoon bully” Gavin Williamson to the Cabinet. Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports: Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 2:21 p.m 1668002405
ICYMI: Gavin Williamson – the text messages that led to his resignation
The events that led to Gavin Williamson’s resignation unfolded in just a few days… Whitehall editor Kate Devlin has this timeline of the events leading up to the South Staffordshire MP’s third exit from government. Matt Mathers November 9, 2022 2:00 p.m
