The former chairman of the Conservative Party has mentioned he instructed Rishi Sunak a bullying criticism had been made in opposition to Cabinet Office minister Sir Gavin Williamson days earlier than he appointed him to the job.
Sir Jake Berry says he knowledgeable the incoming PM concerning the allegations a day earlier than he entered Number 10.
Politics Hub: ‘What a waste of area’ – minister heckled in road
It’s alleged Sir Gavin despatched abusive textual content messages to former chief whip Wendy Morton complaining that he and different colleagues had been excluded from the Queen’s funeral for political causes.
Screenshots leaked to The Sunday Times seem to indicate expletive-laden messages from the South Staffordshire MP, together with a warning that “there is a price for everything”.
Another message reads “think very poor how [Privy Councillors] who aren’t favoured have been excluded from the funeral”.
A supply confirmed to Sky News the contents of the messages have been correct.
In an announcement, former Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry mentioned: “On Monday 24th October, I was made aware, by the chief executive of the Conservative Party, that a complaint had been made to the Conservative Party against Gavin Williamson regarding allegations of bullying and intimidation of parliamentary colleagues.
“In compliance with protocol, in my capability as get together chairman, I knowledgeable each the brand new prime minister and his incoming chief of workers concerning the criticism on the identical day.”
Sir Gavin has been approached for remark.
The Sunday Times quoted the Cabinet Office minister as saying: “I of course regret getting frustrated about the way colleagues and I felt we were being treated. I am happy to speak with Wendy and I hope to work positively with her in the future as I have in the past.”
Sir Gavin dealing with requires third cupboard sacking
Liberal Democrat deputy chief Daisy Cooper accused Mr Sunak of ignoring the criticism and known as for Sir Gavin to be sacked.
Labour deputy chief Angela Rayner mentioned: “Rishi Sunak’s pledge to restore integrity, professionalism, and accountability has been exposed as nothing more than hollow words. Far from stopping the rot in Downing Street, he’s letting it fester.”
Downing Street has mentioned it is not going to be commenting.
A Conservative Party Spokesman mentioned: “The Conservative Party has a robust complaints process in place. This process is rightly a confidential one, so that complainants can come forward in confidence.”
Sir Gavin was sacked as defence secretary in 2019 following the leaking of confidential info from the National Security Council.
After being appointed training secretary by Boris Johnson, he was dismissed from cupboard once more in 2021 following controversy across the grading of exams in the course of the pandemic.
It marks the second main controversy to erupt over Mr Sunak’s cupboard appointments, with the PM already below fireplace for making Suella Braverman his house secretary days after she was sacked for safety breaches.
Source: information.sky.com”