UK PM under fire over cabinet minister's threats to former chief whip

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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has found himself in hot water after Gavin Williamson, the formerly twice-dismissed cabinet minister whom Sunak recently reappointed, was accused of bullying Conservative MP Wendy Morton. 

Morton filed a formal complaint to the Conservative party stating she received "vile and threatening messages" from Gavin when she was chief whip under former PM Truss' leadership.

Though Williamson is generally believed to be harmless, he has often been called a "prick" by some of his peers and social media users. 

GAVIN WILLIAMSON, YOU ARE A COMPLETE AND UTTER PRICK! Your decision to have #schoolsreopeninguk is gonna do more harm than good.

1. You haven't cancelled exams, so students are gonna go nuts

2. There's a new strain among kids

3. Reopening Primaries early is reckless pic.twitter.com/HWXZqJa68y

— The Timeless Pop Culture Fan (@PopCultureGuy12) December 30, 2020

Gavin Williamson is facing complaints about sending "vile and “threatening” messages to Wendy Morton. He was last seen in an orange Beetle driving around Westminster with an arm cast because he’s a Bundy looking madman. If seen don’t approach. He’s not dangerous, just a prick.

— Supertanskiii (@supertanskiii) November 4, 2022

A source close to Williamson said he "strongly refutes these allegations" and is "very happy to share all communications with the former chief whip with CCHQ [Conservative campaign headquarters] if needed."

The source added that Gavin still hasn't been formally informed by the party of the complaint. 

The Conservative party did not comment on the issue, adding that the complaint is a private matter that is only dealt with internally. 

But if an independent investigation is launched on reports of Gavin's misconduct, UK's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may find himself in hot water if the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team is requested to look into the allegations.

Sunak has yet to appoint an independent advisor on ministerial interests as he had promised since the start of his leadership. 

Labour ministers raise suspicions over Sunak's “resurrecting ministers who left government under a cloud of misconduct."

Gavin was previously kicked out two times: the first was when Theresa May forced him to resign as defense secretary after a leak damaged trust in the security council, and the second was due to his mishandling of this summer's exam results in England under Boris Johnson.

He was reappointed after providing prompt support for Sunak's elections. 

As soon as Sunak was elected, Williamson was given the position of Cabinet Office Minister without portfolio.

I believe @RishiSunak is the best person to take the Conservative party and, most importantly, the country forward. He has the talent, integrity, and humility necessary to provide us with a fresh start and a steady hand. I am proud to support him.

— Gavin Williamson (@GavinWilliamson) October 21, 2022

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said, "Gavin Williamson was sacked from cabinet twice, yet despite risking national security he has now been put at the heart of the government’s corporate headquarters. Given his new role and the seriousness of these allegations, there must be an urgent and independent investigation."

Sunak: the State can't fix everyone's problems!

In related news, Sunak told The Times on Friday that people cannot expect the state to "fix every problem" as he pledged to rebuild the trust of voters by "being honest about the scale of the economic difficulties ahead."

Sunak said he would do "absolutely everything" in his power to address the scale of the economic disaster ahead but made it clear that the State can't attend to all issues.

"It’s right we’re honest about the trade-offs we face — everyone now talks about borrowing, everyone appreciates that the government cannot do everything," Sunak said.

When asked about his stance on the Tory manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, VAT, or national insurance, Sunak said. "I’m not going to talk about any tax policy at all."

As for the consideration of sharing duties with Boris Johnson in the party’s latest leadership election, Sunak said he had been "very clear with (Johnson) about the fact I had strong support from colleagues in parliament and I thought I was the best person to do the job."

Sunak became Britain’s first Prime Minister of color last month, taking over during one of the most turbulent eras in British political history.

Read more: Sunak abandons Truss' plan to move UK Embassy in 'Israel' to Al-Quds