Associated video: Grant Shapps says Williamson’s textual content messages to chief whip have been ‘unacceptable’
Sir Gavin Williamson has resigned from his cupboard position, saying allegations of bullying towards him have been “turning into a distraction for the great work this authorities is doing’’.
His departure comes after his former deputy accused him of partaking in “threatening” and “intimidating” behaviour whereas chief whip, and searching for to make use of gossip about Tory MPs consuming, intercourse lives or psychological well being issues as “leverage”.
He was already dealing with a number of investigations – one a proper criticism by Liz Truss’s chief whip Wendy Morton, and the opposite an off-the-cuff Tory probe over claims he advised a senior civil servant to “slit your throat”.
Downing Avenue had earlier insisted that Sir Gavin nonetheless had Rishi Sunak’s backing – however indicated that the PM might take motion over the allegations previous to the conclusion of the probes if he deems it needed.
This preceded the explosive new claims by his former deputy Anne Milton, who advised Channel 4 Information that Sir Gavin had behaved in an “unethical and immoral” approach as chief whip, including: “I feel he feels that he’s Francis Urquhart from Home Of Playing cards.”
That’s us wrapping up the liveblog for tonight, thanks for following right here.
You will discover all of The Unbiased’s newest articles on UK politics here.
Or else preserve scrolling to learn in regards to the day’s occasions, as we reported them.
Andy Gregory8 November 2022 22:57
Welcome to The Unbiased’s UK politics weblog for 8 November 2022, the place we offer the newest updates from Westminster.
Namita Singh8 November 2022 04:11
Gavin Williamson reportedly advised civil servant ‘slit your throat’
Sir Gavin Williamson allegedly advised a senior civil servant to “slit your throat” in what they claimed was a bullying marketing campaign whereas he was defence secretary.
Rishi Sunak is underneath growing strain over his choice to convey his ally again into government after The Guardian reported recent incendiary claims about his conduct.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) official advised the outlet Sir Gavin made the remarks in entrance of colleagues in a gathering, and on one other event advised them to “soar out of the window”.
Learn extra in regards to the allegations towards Sir Gavin on this report:
Namita Singh8 November 2022 04:22
Labour try and power Sunak to disclose what he knew about Braverman
Labour will try to make use of a vote within the Home of Commons to power Rishi Sunak to disclose what he knew about Suella Braverman’s safety lapses when he re-appointed her home secretary.
The prime minister is dealing with questions on his judgement after he put her in his cupboard simply days after she was pressured to resign for a breach of the ministerial code.
Since then she has admitted that she despatched official authorities paperwork to her non-public electronic mail on six totally different events.
My colleague Kate Devlin studies:
Namita Singh8 November 2022 04:40
Conservative Celebration accused of being in ‘denial’ about Islamophobia inside its personal ranks
The Conservative Celebration is dealing with renewed accusations it’s failing to deal with Islamophobia – each in society and inside its personal ranks.
It comes as latest figures present anti-Muslim hate crimes are on the rise within the UK, and an investigation into alleged Islamophobia by a Tory MP continues.
Learn the main points on this unique from Matt Mathers:
Namita Singh8 November 2022 04:55
Insulating social housing would save tenants £700m a 12 months
Rishi Sunak’s authorities has been urged to retrofit England’s social housing inventory, as a brand new report discovered energy-efficiency measures would save tenants £700m a 12 months.
If England’s council and housing affiliation properties have been insulated and draft-proofed, energy bills could be reduce by 42 per cent and residents would save £567 a 12 months on common, it discovered.
The Nationwide Housing Federation (NHF) analysis mentioned a significant retrofit scheme to repair a few of the nation’s leakiest properties would profit the atmosphere and ease the cost of living disaster.
Namita Singh8 November 2022 05:10
Blow to weak states as Rishi Sunak shuns requires local weather reparations
Rishi Sunak has dealt a blow to the creating international locations hardest-hit by climate change by shunning appeals for the UK to contribute in the direction of reparations for the pure disasters attributable to a whole bunch of years of business air pollution.
Thirty-year-old calls for for a fund to pay for the everlasting loss and harm attributable to excessive climate have been mentioned for the primary time on the ground of the Cop27 climate change conference in Egypt, with requires the UK and different wealthy nations to hitch Belgium, Denmark and Scotland in committing money.
However the prime minister made no reference to the subject in his five-minute speech within the resort metropolis of Sharm el-Sheikh, as a substitute recommitting to a 2020 pledge of £11.6bn for local weather funding over 5 years and tripling to £1.5bn the UK’s contribution in the direction of measures to spice up resilience towards future disasters.
Learn the main points on this joint element from Saphora Smith and Andrew Woodcock:
It’s also possible to observe our reside protection of Cop27 on this reside weblog by my colleague Alisha Rahaman Sarkar:
Namita Singh8 November 2022 05:25
Sunak expresses ‘full confidence’ in Williamson regardless of ‘unacceptable’ texts
Sir Gavin has voiced “remorse” for the expletive-laden texts despatched to Wendy Morton, complaining at his exclusion from the congregation for the funeral of the Queen.
However Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer right now mentioned he was “clearly not appropriate” for his job within the Cupboard Workplace, calling his appointment an indication of how “weak” Mr Sunak is.
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has extra:
Namita Singh8 November 2022 05:40
Who’s Gavin Williamson? Authorities minister accused of bullying who was sacked twice
The behaviour of Sir Gavin Williamson is underneath the highlight once more amid claims he introduced up a colleague’s non-public life throughout a dialog in an alleged bid to strong-arm her into voting with the government of the day.
It got here only a day after a separate report emerged displaying that Sir Gavin, knighted by ex-prime minister Boris Johnson earlier this 12 months, despatched expletive-laden texts to the Conservative Celebration former chief whip in a row over tickets to the late Queen’s funeral, sparking bullying claims.
Rishi Sunak appointed Sir Gavin to his authorities throughout final month’s reshuffle, elevating the eyebrows of opposition MPs – in addition to a few of these on the federal government benches.
Namita Singh8 November 2022 05:55
Sunak contemplating elevating state pension according to inflation
Rishi Sunak is contemplating elevating state pensions and advantages according to inflation in a transfer that might possible usher in deeper public spending cuts elsewhere and better tax rises.
The prime minister and chancellor Jeremy Hunt are contemplating imposing as much as £60 billion in tax rises and spending cuts within the autumn price range on 17 November.
Treasury sources insisted no selections have been taken, however didn’t deny a report within the Occasions stating they might keep away from real-terms cuts on pensions and advantages.
Namita Singh8 November 2022 06:10