Rishi Sunak knew there was a “difficult relationship” between Gavin Williamson and former chief whip Wendy Morton, however “wasn’t aware” of “specific allegations” till “last night” – a cupboard minister has advised Sky News.
Speaking on the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden stated the PM nonetheless has confidence in Sir Gavin – who was appointed as a Cabinet Office minister within the current reshuffle – and that there aren’t any present plans to take away him from his publish.
It has been alleged that Sir Gavin despatched abusive textual content messages to the-then chief whip complaining that he and different colleagues had been excluded from the Queen’s funeral for political causes.
Shadow local weather secretary Ed Miliband referred to as for an “urgent independent investigation” into the matter.
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Mr Dowden stated Sir Gavin “regrets the language he used”.
And he additionally instructed that a lot of people had a tough relationship with Ms Morton.
Screenshots leaked to The Sunday Times seem to point out 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 had been correct.
Asked concerning the allegations, Mr Dowden advised Sky News: “Well, the prime minister knew that there was a difficult relationship.
“And I feel as you have seen from the the previous chairman, Jake Berry, he says that he highlighted that to the prime minister.
“But in terms of these specific allegations, this specific exchange, the prime minister wasn’t aware of it until last night.”
Mr Dowden continued: “He shouldn’t have sent those messages. And he says that he regrets it. But of course, the prime minister continues to have confidence in Gavin Williamson as minister.”
But, talking after Mr Dowden, Mr Miliband described the matter as “incredibly serious” and stated it “calls into question, Rishi Sunak’s judgement and the way he made decisions about his cabinet”.
“We already know about the whole Suella Braverman issue being reappointed six days after she resigned,” he stated.
“It was very noticeable on your show that Oliver Dowden couldn’t deny that Rishi Sunak knew about those issues to do with potential bullying against Wendy Morton, the chief whip, by Gavin Williamson – and yet he reappointed him.
“What it says is that Rishi Sunak was making choices merely in his personal slim, quick time period pursuits so far as the Conservative Party management was involved, not the nationwide curiosity.
“And there needs to be an urgent independent investigation into exactly what happened. We can’t have a cover up. We can’t have a whitewash here. What did she do not know when it you know it? What did Gavin Williamson do? And what are the implications of that?”
Former chairman of the Conservative Party, Sir Jake Berry, has stated he advised Mr Sunak a bullying criticism had been made towards Sir Gavin a day earlier than he entered Number 10.
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.”
Source: information.sky.com”