Sunak aware Gavin Williamson faced bullying claim, says MP

Rishi Sunak is facing claims helium knew Sir Gavin Williamson was facing a ailment of bullying the time earlier helium appointed him a furniture minister.

Ex Chief Whip Wendy Morton has told the BBC she raised concerns astir substance messages sent by Sir Gavin past month.

And erstwhile Conservative enactment president Sir Jake Berry said helium had told Mr Sunak of her complaint.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats accidental the incidental raises questions astir the premier minister's judgement.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir Jake says helium told Mr Sunak astir the ailment accusing Sir Gavin of "bullying and intimidation" connected 24 October. This was the time helium became the caller Conservative Party leader.

Mr Sunak succeeded Liz Truss arsenic premier curate connected 25 October and appointed Sir Gavin a curate of authorities astatine the Cabinet Office.

Downing Street did not contradict the premier curate had held a speech with Sir Jake but a spokeswoman said determination would nary remark portion a complaints process was ongoing.

Ms Morton says she complained to her enactment office past period astir the behaviour of Sir Gavin but is yet to perceive however it volition beryllium acted upon.

Sir Gavin is reported to person sent her the texts successful the tally up to the Queen's ceremonial successful September.

In them, helium appears to person complained that MPs who were not "favoured" by Ms Truss were being excluded from the ceremonial successful Westminster Abbey.

He accused Ms Morton of "rigging" the summons allocation to punish radical - including himself - who were not supportive capable of the past premier minister.

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

Sir Gavin is quoted successful the Sunday Times arsenic saying: "I of people regret getting frustrated astir the mode colleagues and I felt we were being treated.

"I americium blessed to talk with Wendy and I anticipation to enactment positively with her successful the aboriginal arsenic I person successful the past."

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "The Conservative Party has a robust complaints process successful place.

"This process is rightly a confidential one, truthful that complainants tin travel guardant successful confidence."

Both Ms Morton and Sir Jake mislaid their jobs successful the reshuffle erstwhile Mr Sunak came to power, portion Sir Gavin - a erstwhile main whip and a a cardinal subordinate of Mr Sunak's enactment run - returned to government.

Sir Gavin was defence caput successful Theresa May's authorities but was sacked successful 2019 implicit claims - denied by him - that helium had leaked details of a nationalist information assembly meeting. He past became acquisition caput successful Boris Johnson's furniture but was replaced aft 2 years.

Labour lawman person Angela Rayner said Mr Sunak's determination to bring Sir Gavin backmost into authorities saw him enactment "party absorption earlier the country" and his judgement was "in question".

She said: "Rishi Sunak's pledge to reconstruct integrity, professionalism and accountability has been exposed arsenic thing much than hollow words."

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: "These shocking revelations rise yet much superior questions astir Rishi Sunak's judgement...

"If the premier curate was superior astir restoring integrity helium would sack Gavin Williamson."