When he resigned from Johnson’s cabinet in July, Mr Sunak said the public expected the government to behave “properly, competently and seriously”. His comments when he became Prime Minister were intended to put behind him controversies that had plagued Mr Johnson’s premiership. Sir Gavin has rejected claims he bullied any staff, claiming he had a “good working relationship” with his “excellent officials”, but did not deny using the specific words. Responding to Ms Morton’s complaint about him, he said he was “sorry to be disappointed” and hoped to “work positively” with her in the future.
“Gavin Williamson is a very strong man”
The Telegraph spoke to a number of former cabinet ministers about Sir Gavin’s conduct in government. One said many MPs who had been bullied by Mr Williamson were too “scared” to speak out. “There are a number of MPs who have had a similar experience to Wendy Morton but are too scared to say it,” the minister said. “Gavin Williamson is a very strong man and he is also a very ugly man. People are afraid of the power he has. “I don’t think his position is sustainable. But the fact that he is still in his job reveals Rishi Sunak’s true feelings about integrity and professionalism.” A second former cabinet minister described Sir Gavin as a “quite despicable” person who had a “heavy-handed” and “coercive” approach to running the whip’s office. A third former cabinet minister said: “Bullying whips are not very good whips. I think he had a reputation for being a bully, long-winded, and he played it off, as with all that tarantula nonsense.” Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labor Party, said: “This is a damning reflection of a weak prime minister. “Rishi Sunak appointed Gavin Williamson in full knowledge of the serious allegations about his conduct and has repeatedly expressed his confidence in him. “This is yet another example of poor judgment and weak leadership by Rishi Sunak. It is clear that he is trapped by the dirty backroom deals he made to avoid a vote and is incapable of putting country before party. “As families struggle during a cost-of-living crisis in Downing Street, another Tory government has descended into chaos.”
