I regret Williamson job ended in resignation, says Rishi Sunak - BBC

Rishi Sunak has said helium regrets Sir Gavin Williamson's ministerial assignment ended successful resignation amid bullying claims against him.

The premier curate said Sir Gavin had been close to resign, adding his behaviour had been "unacceptable".

Mr Sunak said helium had not known of "specific concerns" astir his behaviour successful 2 erstwhile ministerial roles.

But Labour's Sir Keir Starmer accused him of failing to "stand up to a run-of-the-mill bully".

Sir Gavin was appointed curate without portfolio aft Mr Sunak, a governmental ally, won the Tory enactment and became premier curate 2 weeks ago.

Mr Sunak has faced disapproval implicit the determination successful caller days, pursuing claims of abusive behaviour by Sir Gavin towards MPs and the emergence of a ailment by a civilian servant.

Sir Gavin, who has denied immoderate wrongdoing, discontinue connected Tuesday night, vowing helium wanted to "clear my name" during probes into his past conduct.

Speaking astatine Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Sunak said it was "absolutely right" Sir Gavin had gone, and that his behaviour was present being investigated.

Asked by Sir Keir whether helium regretted appointing Sir Gavin, Mr Sunak replied: "I evidently regret appointing idiosyncratic who has had to resign successful these circumstances."

Complaints against Sir Gavin emerged aft expletive-laden texts helium sent to then-chief whip Wendy Morton past period were published successful the Sunday Times.

A civilian servant past told the Guardian Sir Gavin had told them to "slit your throat" and "jump retired of the window" connected abstracted occasions during his clip arsenic defence secretary.

Sir Gavin's erstwhile deputy, Anne Milton, has besides claimed helium had behaved successful a "threatening" and "intimidating" mode towards MPs portion helium was main whip.

At PMQs, Mr Sunak said helium "did not cognize astir immoderate of the circumstantial concerns" astir his behaviour arsenic defence caput oregon main whip.

Downing Street has antecedently said the PM was alert of a "disagreement" betwixt Sir Gavin and Ms Morton earlier appointing him, but not the item of the messages helium had sent her.

In response, Labour's Sir Keir said Sir Gavin had "spent years courting the thought that helium tin intimidate others, blurring the lines to normalise bullying behaviour".

Referencing the favored tarantula kept by Sir Gavin erstwhile helium was main whip, helium called him a "cartoon bully with a favored spider". "It's precisely wherefore the premier curate gave him a job," helium added.

The Labour person besides criticised Mr Sunak for thanking Sir Gavin for his "personal enactment and loyalty" successful a missive responding to his resignation.

"What connection does helium deliberation it sends when, alternatively than instrumentality connected the bullies, helium lines up alongside and acknowledgment them for their loyalty?" Sir Keir added.

Sir Gavin has been reported to the MPs' bullying watchdog, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, implicit his messages to Ms Morton. The Conservative Party is mulling whether to motorboat a ceremonial probe of its own.

Following the accusations astir his clip arsenic defence secretary, No 10 had said it was seeking to found the facts. Mr Sunak's spokesperson had said the PM would "would enactment if and erstwhile helium felt it was due to bash so".