Gavin Williamson has not apologised to Wendy Morton, say sources

The BBC has been told by friends of ex-Chief Whip Wendy Morton that she has not yet received an apology oregon immoderate interaction from Gavin Williamson.

Ms Morton complained to the Conservative Party connected 24 October astir Sir Gavin aft helium sent her a bid of expletive-laden messages.

Rishi Sunak has said the connection was "not acceptable" but No 10 insisted helium inactive has assurance successful the minister.

The BBC has contacted Sir Gavin for a comment.

In a connection given to the Sunday Times, which published a bid of WhatsApp messages, Sir Gavin said: "I of people regret getting frustrated astir the mode colleagues and I felt we were being treated."

The Conservative Party has not confirmed if it volition motorboat a ceremonial probe into Sir Gavin, 2 weeks aft Ms Morton made her complaint.

Neither MP has been informed of an inquiry, arsenic would beryllium expected nether the enactment process.

Under that process, grounds is examined earlier a determination is made connected whether a ceremonial probe should instrumentality place.

It has emerged Ms Morton handed the WhatsApp messages to the Conservative Party connected 26 October - 2 days aft she made her complaint.

In the messages, Sir Gavin is reported to person complained to Ms Morton, who was main whip astatine the time, that MPs who had not supported then-PM Liz Truss were being excluded from the Queen's ceremonial work astatine Westminster Abbey.

Sir Gavin is said to person warned Ms Morton "not to propulsion him about" and that "there is simply a terms for everything".

Asked successful Egypt, wherever helium is attending the COP27 clime summit, if the texts amounted to bullying, Mr Sunak said an autarkic complaints process was nether mode and it would beryllium "right to fto that process conclude".

He said helium been wide the connection utilized was not close and not acceptable.

Speaking to the BBC connected Sunday, Cabinet Office curate Oliver Dowden said the messages were sent "in the vigor of the infinitesimal astatine a precise hard time".

He said Sir Gavin was "frustrated" with the then-government but accepted helium "shouldn't person sent [the texts] and helium regrets it".

Ex-Conservative Party Chair Jake Berry has said helium told Mr Sunak astir Ms Morton's ailment accusing Sir Gavin of "bullying and intimidation" connected 24 October.

Mr Sunak, who replaced Liz Truss arsenic premier curate connected 25 October, subsequently appointed Sir Gavin arsenic a Cabinet Office minister.

The premier minister's spokesperson told reporters that Mr Sunak "knew determination was a disagreement" but helium didn't cognize "the substance" of messages until they were published successful the Sunday Times.

Labour person Sir Keir Starmer said Sir Gavin was "clearly not suitable" to beryllium a curate and that his assignment was a motion of "weakness" by Mr Sunak.

Douglas Ross, person of the Scottish Conservatives, told Times Radio helium would sack 1 of his frontbenchers successful Holyrood, if they had written messages akin to those sent by Sir Gavin.