In news that broke late on 01/05 Gavin "Private Pike" Williamson was fired as Defence Secretary!
He met May in her Commons Office at 17.00 and was told that the evidence pointed to him and was told to resign or be sacked. Protesting his innocence he refused to resign and was summarily dismissed.
In a letter after firing him, Theresa May told Williamson he had failed to fully co-operate with the Huawei leak investigation, which found “compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure. No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified.”
I had posted about this likelihood Huawei Leak
Williamson maintains his innocence (swearing on the lives of his children at one point). He claimed that Sir Mark Sedwill was behind his dismissal (much as he blamed his civil servants for the leak previously).
Politicians across the board have called for him to be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act.
Interestingly Williamson himself said he'd welcome a formal investigation as he was sure it would clear him. He won't get that opportunity as May's spokesgonk said she considers the matter 'closed'.
While Williamsom retreats to the back benches, presumably to plot his next move and/or revenge, Penny Morduant was promoted and becomes the 1st female Defence Secretary (and thew 1st reservist to hold the post).
A profile of her: Penny Morduant
She's an ardent Brexiteer who was once censured by Cameron for claiming that we didn't have a veto on Turkey joining the EU.
Replacing Moruant at International development is the likeable and comparatively sane former diplomat Rory Stewart.
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