LONDON (dpa-AFX) – New trouble for the Tories: After the resignation of his Minister Gavin Williamson due to allegations of bullying, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak went on the defensive on Wednesday. Allegations that he had appointed Williamson to the cabinet despite knowledge of the allegations, Sunak rejected at the weekly Question Time in the House of Commons. “I didn’t know about any specific concerns,” Sunak said. In view of the allegations, however, he described the resignation of the Minister of State as appropriate. Labor leader Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of poor leadership.
Williamson, who was sitting at the cabinet table without a portfolio, resigned on Tuesday evening. Various allegations of bullying had previously been raised against the conservative politician.
According to Whatsapp news published by the Sunday Times newspaper, Williamson tried to put pressure on the former conservative parliamentary group leader Wendy Morton, using harsh language and threats. Williamson was reportedly trying to secure an invitation to the funeral service in September following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sunak had already called the text messages unacceptable days ago, but emphasized that he wanted to await the results of an internal investigation. When further allegations became known, Williamson pulled the ripcord himself.
Among other things, a former employee accused Williamson of suggesting that he “cut his throat” and “jump out of the window”. In his letter of resignation, the Minister of State denied the allegations. “I reject the statements in these allegations, but I recognize that they detract from the good work this Government is doing for the British people,” Williamson wrote in the letter to the Prime Minister.
The resignation of the state minister raises doubts as to whether Sunak is in a position to steer his conservative governing party, which has recently been completely divided and sinking into chaos, into calmer waters. He had taken over as prime minister two weeks ago from Liz Truss, who was forced to resign by her own faction after just seven weeks in office. Truss, in turn, only succeeded Boris Johnson, who had been ousted due to numerous scandals, at the beginning of September.
The bullying affair comes at an inopportune time for Rishi Sunak because he wants to present his plans on November 17, with which the billion-dollar budget deficit caused in part by his predecessor is to be filled. But there are other problems as well.
The criticism of Interior Minister Suella Braverman does not want to stop either. The politician, who belongs to the right-wing conservative wing of the party, has met with growing opposition for her ruthless crackdown on migrants. Recently, a hopelessly overcrowded initial reception center on the English Channel made the headlines. The Conservative MP, in whose constituency the refugee home is located, speculated in television interviews that the miserable conditions there could have been caused by the government on purpose. It cannot be ruled out that Braverman will also leave the cabinet soon.
In addition, there is an unpleasant report for Sunak about the business interests of his extremely wealthy wife. As the “Guardian” reported at the weekend, the Indian IT company Infosys, in which Sunak’s wife holds shares, is said to continue doing business in Russia, contrary to statements to the contrary. When asked by a journalist from the Sky News channel whether his family was financially supported by the government of the Kremlin ruler Wladimir Putin benefit, Sunak simply replied, “I don’t think that’s the case.” But it is doubtful that the matter is settled./cmy/DP/ngu