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Rishi Sunak has said he regrets Sir Gavin Williamson’s ministerial appointment ended in resignation amid bullying claims against him.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The prime minister said Sir Gavin had been right to resign, adding his behaviour had been “unacceptable”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mr Sunak said he had not known of “specific concerns” about his conduct in two previous ministerial roles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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But Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer accused him of failing to “stand up to a run-of-the-mill bully”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Sir Gavin was appointed minister without portfolio after Mr Sunak, a political ally, won the Tory leadership and became prime minister two weeks ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mr Sunak has faced criticism over the decision in recent days, following claims of abusive behaviour by Sir Gavin towards MPs and the emergence of a complaint by a civil servant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Sir Gavin, who has denied any wrongdoing, quit on Tuesday night, vowing he wanted to “clear my name” during probes into his past conduct.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n- Who is Sir Gavin Williamson?<\/li>\n
- Gavin Williamson’s resignation letter in full<\/li>\n
- A quick guide to Gavin Williamson<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Sunak said it was “absolutely right” Sir Gavin had gone, and that his behaviour was now being investigated. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Asked by Sir Keir whether he regretted appointing Sir Gavin, Mr Sunak replied: “I obviously regret appointing someone who has had to resign in these circumstances.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Complaints against Sir Gavin emerged after expletive-laden texts he sent to then-chief whip Wendy Morton last month were published in the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A civil servant then told the Guardian Sir Gavin had told them to “slit your throat” and “jump out of the window” on separate occasions during his time as defence secretary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Sir Gavin’s former deputy, Anne Milton, has also claimed he had behaved in a “threatening” and “intimidating” way towards MPs while he was chief whip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n