British minister Gavin Williamson resigned on Tuesday from the government over claims that he bullied colleagues, raising questions about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s judgement just weeks into the job.

Sunak became Britain’s third prime minister in two months in October, pledging to restore integrity and professionalism to the heart of government following months of turmoil under his predecessors, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.

3 minute readNovember 9, 20224:57 AM GMTLast Updated 6 hours ago

UK minister Gavin Williamson resigns over bullying claims

By Muvija M

 and Kate Holton

• Summary

• Williams resigns to comply with inquiry
• Opposition parties question Sunak’s judgement

LONDON, Nov 8 (Reuters) – British minister Gavin Williamson resigned on Tuesday from the government over claims that he bullied colleagues, raising questions about Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s judgement just weeks into the job.

Sunak became Britain’s third prime minister in two months in October, pledging to restore integrity and professionalism to the heart of government following months of turmoil under his predecessors, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.

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But his first two weeks in the job have been overshadowed by rows about first his interior minister, Suella Braverman, and now Williamson, who has been forced out of government for the third time in less than four years.

The Sunday Times and other newspapers had reported that colleagues had accused Williamson of acting in a bullying manner, sending expletive-laden messages and telling one government official to “slit your throat”.

Williamson said in a letter to Sunak on Tuesday that he was complying with a complaints process and that while he refuted the characterisation of the messages he recognised that they were becoming a distraction for the government.

“I have therefore decided to step back from government so that I can comply fully with the complaints process that is underway and clear my name of any wrongdoing,” he said in the letter, which he published on Twitter.

“It is with real sadness that I tender my resignation.”

source: reuters.com