Gavin Williamson has claimed that he is the victim of a “kangaroo court” after being dramatically sacked by Theresa May over the leak from the National Security Council of Huawei’s involvement in the UK’s 5G network.

May was told of what she called “compelling” evidence of Williamson’s involvement before she was due to face a grilling from the backbench liaison committee. The defence secretary was later summoned to May’s House of Commons office, where she confronted him with the evidence, offered him the opportunity to resign – and when he refused, immediately fired him.

It is understood that Williamson has acknowledged speaking to the Daily Telegraph’s Steven Swinford on the phone for 11 minutes on the day of the leak. But he denies that he revealed what had happened at the National Security Council when he was asked by the reporter about the Huawei discussion.

In what rapidly escalated into an extraordinary public spat, the ex-minister continued to maintain that the leak came from outside his team. “I think the prime minister has made a serious mistake,” a source said.

Formerly a staunch May loyalist who served the prime minister as her chief whip, Williamson later issued a strenuous public denial. He told Sky News the leak inquiry, overseen by cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, had been “a witch hunt from the start” and had taken place “in a kangaroo court with a summary execution”.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gavin Williamson during ice breaking drills with the Royal Marines in Norway. Photograph: MOD

May was determined to reassert her authority over her squabbling ministers, whom Williamson’s successor as chief whip, Julian Smith, recently described as the “worst example of ill-discipline in cabinet in British political history”.

The investigation was launched by Sedwill after an outcry from ministers and the security services, who warned of the risks of allowing a culture of leaks to continue with impunity. Those anxieties were amplified in the case of the Huawei story, which was regarded as both economically and politically sensitive.

Sedwill, who unusually combines the job of cabinet secretary with that of May’s national security adviser, has insisted on the need for a tough line against leaks.

On Wednesday evening, No 10 published a blunt letter from May to Williamson, in which she accused him of failing to engage fully with the leak investigation.

The prime minister said: “It has been conducted fairly, with the full cooperation of other NSC attendees. They have answered all questions, engaged properly, provided as much information as possible to assist with the investigation, and encouraged their staff to do the same. Your conduct has not been of the same standard as others’.”

“In our meeting, I put to you the latest information from the investigation, which provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure. No other credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified,” she added.

Williamson later published his reply, saying that he believed a “thorough and formal inquiry” would have vindicated him. He said he had declined May’s offer to resign, believing that it would have appeared to be an acceptance that he or his staff had been responsible.

Williamson will be replaced as defence secretary by the Brexiter Penny Mordaunt, widely regarded as a potential leadership contender, who previously served as international development secretary.

Mordaunt will retain responsibility for women and equalities in her new role. Prisons minister Rory Stewart, a cerebral former diplomat, will become the new international development secretary.

The Daily Telegraph obtained details of discussions at the NSC, including the claim that the prime minister had overruled several ministers, to allow the controversial Chinese firm to be involved in building “non-core” parts of the 5G network.

Profile Who is Gavin Williamson? Show Hide Before Westminster Born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, he had a comprehensive education before going on to gain a degree in social science at the University of Bradford. Williamson then worked for a while in the pottery industry and for an architectural design firm before being elected MP for South Staffordshire in 2010 at the age of 33. A rapid rise Just a few years after his election, Williamson became David Cameron’s parliamentary aide, acting as his eyes and ears among MPs. But when Cameron stepped down, Williamson quickly threw his lot in with Theresa May as the most effective stop-Boris candidate and was adopted as her campaign manager. Having impressed with his organisational skills, he was elevated to chief whip, despite not having previously served as a minister. Appointed defence secretary After becoming pivotal in the deal with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP), Williamson earned May's respect for managing difficult parliamentary votes with the slimmest of DUP-backed majorities. His move into the cabinet after Sir Michael Fallon resigned over allegations of sexual harassment appeared to position him as a potential Conservative leader, but the backlash among MPs was significant. Spider man In Westminster he kept a tarantula called Cronus in a glass box on his desk, seemingly to intimidate MPs who had stepped out of line. The creature is named after the Greek god who came to power by castrating his own father before eating his own children to ensure they would not oust him. Gaffes in office Known for his colourful Instagram posts, Williamson was involved in a series of gaffes as defence secretary. As well as clashing with the prime minister over the publication of the government’s defence review, he angered the Chinese enough for them to cancel a trade trip by chancellor Philip Hammond, and was called 'the minister for war' by a Russian minister after his comments about the Skripal poisoning.



Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley once cut off a live interview with him after he repeatedly refused to answer a question. It was all enough to earn him the nickname 'Private Pike' in Whitehall, in reference to the hapless youth in the sitcom Dad’s Army

Downfall Williamson was sacked as defence secretary by Theresa May after she "lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of defence secretary and as a member of her cabinet". The move followed an investigation into who leaked sensitive National Security Council discussions about the Chinese company Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network infrastructure. Williamson has denied being the source of the leak, saying he was the victim of a 'kangaroo court'.

Williamson was among those reported to have raised concerns, together with the home secretary, Sajid Javid, the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, the international trade secretary, Liam Fox, and Mordaunt.

All of them subsequently became suspects in the most serious Whitehall leak inquiry in living memory. With Williamson now identified as the culprit, Downing Street said the leak inquiry had been shut down. “The prime minister thanks all members of the National Security Council for their full cooperation and candour during the investigation and considers the matter closed,” it said.

Hunt, who was travelling between Nigeria and Ethiopia when the announcement was made, said: “On a personal level, I am very sorry for Gavin’s sake for what has happened, but given the gravity of the situation, there was no other alternative outcome.”

The Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable, and the shadow defence secretary, Nia Griffith, said that if Williamson has been found to have leaked the story, he should face prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. Griffith said: “The Tories are in chaos and incapable of sorting out their own crisis. Conservative infighting has undermined the basic functioning of government, and has now potentially put security at risk. The police must urgently investigate.”

Any criminal investigation would be carried out by Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command. As of Wednesday evening, the Met had not opened a criminal inquiry and sources said that they had not received any allegation from the Cabinet Office, the government department most likely to refer the leak to the police.

May’s spokesman said: “It’s not for the government to determine prosecutions, but the prime minister has said, from her point of view, that she considers the matter to be closed.”

May was right to sack Gavin Williamson. No one will be sorry to see him go | Martin Kettle Read more

May’s spokesman said the inquiry “was constituted in order to ensure the integrity of the National Security Council in general is upheld and that, vitally, participants can continue to hold full confidence in its operation”.

Those attending included senior defence and security officials, the spokesman said. “It’s very important that they can provide information in a very candid way and in total confidence that that information will not be disclosed. If they do not have that confidence, you risk undermining that decision-making process, which in turn potentially harms national security.”

Williamson was closely involved in negotiating the confidence and supply agreement with the Democratic Unionist party, and had recently sought to thaw relations with the DUP’s senior members at Westminster in a bid to secure their support for the prime minister’s rejected Brexit deal.

He was promoted from chief whip after Michael Fallon was forced to leave the cabinet after admitting that his conduct had “fallen short” over sexual harassment claims.

Williamson, who was made defence secretary 18 months ago, had been one of those in the cabinet most sceptical about the necessity of engaging in Brexit talks with Labour. He preferred to focus on winning back the support of the DUP, with whom he negotiated the confidence and supply agreement on May’s behalf after she lost her majority at the 2017 general election.

Remainers welcomed the arrival of Stewart to the top table at a critical time in cross-party Brexit talks, when the government appears to be seriously contemplating a compromise.

“Rory will be good for balance,” said one cabinet source. The Penrith MP, who recently said he believed he would make a good prime minister, has been a prominent public defender of May’s Brexit deal.</s>ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Penny Mordaunt has been appointed as defence secretary after Theresa May dramatically sacked Gavin Williamson today.

Mr Williamson was fired by Theresa May on Wednesday after an investigation into the leak of information from a National Security Council meeting.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister asked Mr Williamson to leave the Government having "lost confidence in his ability to serve".

Mr Williamson was immediately replaced in his role at the head of the Ministry of Defence by International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt.

She will be the UK's first female Defence Secretary and retains the job of minister for women and equalities.

Meanwhile Rory Stewart enters the Cabinet as new International Development Secretary.

Mr Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border, was previously a Prisons Minister at the Ministry of Justice.

He recently gave an interview claiming he would be a good Prime Minister, and said: "One of the reasons why I would be tempted towards this job is that we desperately need to rebuild ourselves internationally after Brexit. I am one of the only people in Parliament who is a genuine specialist."

An inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill was launched after information from secret discussions about Chinese telecoms firm Huawei's involvement in the development of the UK's 5G mobile network was printed in the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Williamson was listed in the Telegraph as being among a small group of ministers whose warnings about Huawei's involvement were overruled by the Prime Minister.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the Government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet.

"The Prime Minister's decision has been informed by his conduct surrounding an investigation into the circumstances of the unauthorised disclosure of information from a meeting of the National Security Council.

"The Prime Minister thanks all members of the National Security Council for their full cooperation and candour during the investigation and considers the matter closed."

Mr Williamson has been defence secretary since 2017 when he replaced Sir Michael Fallon following his resignation.</s>Gavin Williamson has been sacked as Defence Secretary following an inquiry into the leak of information from last week’s National Security Council meeting.

Downing Street said that Prime Minister Theresa May asked Mr Williamson to leave the Government having “lost confidence in his ability to serve”.

Mr Williamson was immediately replaced in his role at the head of the Ministry of Defence by International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt.

A Royal Navy reservist, she will be the UK’s first female Defence Secretary and retains the job of minister for women and equalities. Rory Stewart enters the Cabinet as new International Development Secretary.

The inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill was launched after information from secret discussions about Chinese telecoms firm Huawei’s involvement in the development of the UK’s 5G mobile network was printed in the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Williamson was listed in the Telegraph as being among a small group of ministers whose warnings about Huawei’s involvement were overruled by the Prime Minister.

In a statement, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the Government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet.

“The Prime Minister’s decision has been informed by his conduct surrounding an investigation into the circumstances of the unauthorised disclosure of information from a meeting of the National Security Council.

“The Prime Minister thanks all members of the National Security Council for their full cooperation and candour during the investigation and considers the matter closed.”

In a meeting with Mr Williamson on Wednesday evening, Mrs May confronted him with information which she said provided “compelling evidence” that he was responsible for the unauthorised disclosure.

And in a letter confirming his dismissal, she told him: “No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified.”

Mrs May said that the leak from the April 23 meeting was “an extremely serious matter and a deeply disappointing one”.

While leaks from Cabinet meetings are relatively frequent, it is unprecedented for private conversations from a forum where the most senior ministers are briefed by heads of the security and intelligence agencies to reach the public.

Mrs May said it was “vital for the operation of good government and for the UK’s national interest” for NSC members to be able to have “frank and detailed discussions in full confidence that the advice and analysis provided is not discussed or divulged beyond that trusted environment”.

Informing Mr Williamson of his dismissal, Mrs May said she was “concerned” at the manner in which he had engaged with Sir Mark’s inquiry.

“It has been conducted fairly, with the full co-operation of other NSC attendees,” she wrote.

“They have all answered questions, engaged properly, provided as much information as possible to assist with the investigation, and encouraged their staff to do the same. Your conduct has not been of the same standard as others’.

“In our meeting this evening, I put to you the latest information from the investigation, which provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure. No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified.”

Mr Williamson last week denied being responsible for the leak, issuing a statement to say: “Neither I nor any of my team have divulged information from the National Security Council.”

It is understood that Sir Mark interviewed members of the NSC as well as asking them to hand over their mobile phones so they could be checked for any trace of contacts with journalists.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said: “If he has leaked from the National Security Council, Gavin Williamson should be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act. And he should forgo his ministerial severance pay.”

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: “This story cannot begin and end with dismissal from office.

“What is at stake is the capacity of our security services to give advice at the highest level.

“This must now be referred to the Metropolitan Police for a thorough criminal investigation into breaches of the Official Secrets Act.”

Change UK’s defence spokesman Mike Gapes said: “This is an extraordinary development following an unprecedented leak from the National Security Council and I would now expect a criminal investigation to follow.

“This is yet another sign of a dysfunctional chaotic Conservative government. Our politics is broken, it’s time for a change.”

South Staffordshire MP Mr Williamson, 42, was a surprise appointment as Defence Secretary in November 2017, after a meteoric rise which saw him enter the Cabinet without ever having served in a junior ministerial role.

He was one of Mrs May’s closest allies after she made him chief whip on entering Downing Street in 2016. But during his time in the Cabinet, he showed increasing signs of independence from the PM and was widely regarded as preparing for a tilt at the top job when she stands down.

Steve Turner, assistant general secretary of Unite, said new Defence Secretary Ms Mourdant should take immediate action to make sure British warships are built in the UK.

Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “This topsy turvy Tory world we are all being forced to live in has to end.

“A Cabinet from which the Defence Secretary is sacked for leaking national security secrets, in which the Transport Secretary stays in place no matter what he makes a balls of – and today it was paying millions for non-existent Brexit ferry contracts – and over which the Prime Minister persists with her myth that she can implement Brexit – is sinking Britain.

“There is nothing of comic value left to plunder from the Tories. They have made government in Britain a tragedy.

“A general election is now not just desirable. It is also the essential first step to restoring dignity and integrity to the discredited process of fixed government in this country.”</s>Gavin Williamson denies responsibility for the leak and said he had turned down an offer of the chance to resign Peter Macdiarmid/London News Pictures

Theresa May has sacked Gavin Williamson as defence secretary after finding “compelling evidence” that he was culpable of leaking confidential cabinet discussions.

The prime minister dismissed Mr Williamson this evening after he failed to answer questions about the leaking of a decision to allow Huawei, a Chinese company, to supply technology for the next generation 5G network, despite warnings that it could compromise national security.

Penny Mordaunt, who was international development secretary, has been appointed in Mr Williamson’s place.

The prime minister confronted Mr Williamson with a “credible version of events to explain this leak” from the National Security Council (NSC) meeting. He was unable to answer the questions that this raised, and she sacked him.

Information about the Huawei decision appeared in the Daily…</s>LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May fired her defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, on Wednesday, saying an investigation suggested he was to blame for leaking discussions about Chinese telecoms company Huawei from her National Security Council.

Last week it emerged that Britain would allow Huawei a restricted role in building parts of its 5G network, seeking a middle way in a bitter dispute between the United States and China over the next generation of communications technology.

The NSC is a forum in which senior cabinet ministers discuss top secret national security information, and the leak, first reported in national newspapers, sparked anger in parliament.

May wrote to Williamson that an investigation into the leaks had provided “compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure.”

“No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified,” she added.

Williamson had repeatedly denied that he was responsible for the leak. A BBC correspondent said she spoke to him after his firing was made public and he continued to deny blame.

May appointed international development minister Penny Mordaunt to succeed Williamson as defence secretary, and named prisons minister Rory Stewart to Mordaunt’s former role.

Huawei, the world’s biggest producer of telecoms equipment, is under intense scrutiny after the United States told allies not to use its technology because of fears it could be a vehicle for Chinese spying. Huawei has categorically denied this.

“It is vital that I have full confidence in the members of my Cabinet and of the National Security Council,” May wrote in her letter to Williamson, which was released by her office.

“The gravity of this issue alone, and its ramifications for the operation of the NSC and the UK’s national interest, warrants the serious steps we have taken, and an equally serious response.”</s>She replaces Gavin Williamson who was sacked today (May 1) over the Huawei national security leak.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the Government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet."

Sensitive information about Huawei from the National Security Council was leaked and he was one of the first Cabinet Ministers to deny being the source in the days following.

According to the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg, Williamson still denies it. She tweeted: "Just spoken to Gavin Williamson who still denies he was the source of the leak from the National Security Council - says neither he nor his team would ever leak from NSC."

Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has called for a criminal investigation into Gavin Williamson.

He said: "This story cannot begin and end with dismissal from office.

"What is at stake is the capacity of our security services to give advice at the highest level.

"This must now be referred to the Metropolitan police for a thorough criminal investigation into breaches of the Official Secrets Act."

Penny Mordaunt was previously the international development secretary and Number 10 says she will continue as minister for women and equalities alongside her new role in defence.</s>"The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the Government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve his role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet," the statement said.

"The Prime Minister's decision has been informed by his conduct surrounding an investigation into the circumstances of the unauthorized disclosure of information from a meeting of the National Security Council."

Williamson "strenuously" denied he was the source of the leak, in a letter posted to his Twitter account on Wednesday night.

"I am sorry that you feel recent leaks from the National Security Council originated in my Department. I emphatically believe this was not the case," he said. "I strongly deny that I was in any way involved in this leak and I am confident that a thorough and formal inquiry would have vindicated my position." Williamson added that he chose not to accept Prime Minister May's offer for him to resign because it would have suggested that he was guilty. The Daily Telegraph's leaked story was controversial because of allegations by some Western countries, including the United States, that Huawei products could be used by China for spying Huawei, the world's largest supplier of telecom equipment, has repeatedly denied the accusations. While Australia has already barred its equipment from the country's 5G networks, Huawei has fought hard to convince the United Kingdom that its products are safe for use. Following the leak, an inquiry was launched by Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill after the information from the secret discussions on April 23 was published in the paper. In a letter to Williamson, May said it was an "extremely serious matter, and a deeply disappointing one." "It is vital that I have full confidence in the members of my Cabinet and of the National Security Council. The gravity of this issue alone, and its ramifications for the operation of the NSC and the UK's national interest, warrants the serious steps we have taken, and an equally serious response." British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Number 10 Downing Street for Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament on May 1. Following the announcement, several MPs called for Williamson to face criminal charges. Opposition Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said the former Defense Secretary "should be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act" and "should forgo his ministerial severance pay," according to Britain's Press Association news agency. Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable also argued that Williamson should be referred to London's Metropolitan Police "for a thorough criminal investigation," PA added. May announced later on Wednesday that Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt would replace Williamson. She will be the country's first female defense secretary.</s>Gavin Williamson has been sacked from the Government by Theresa May as the Prime Minister suggested the Defence Secretary was responsible for leaking information about Huawei.

Mrs May accused Mr Williamson of failing to cooperate fully with a Whitehall investigation relating to the leaking of information from a meeting of the National Security Council. Read the letter in full below.

Thank you for your time this evening. We discussed the investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of information from the National Security Council meeting on 23 April.

This is an extremely serious matter, and a deeply disappointing one. It is vital for the operation of good...</s>May with her former Defence Secretary.

May with her former Defence Secretary.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Theresa May has sacked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson following a probe into the leak of news that Britain had conditionally allowed China’s Huawei to develop the UK 5G network.

“The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet,” said a spokeswoman from her Downing Street office.

May said in a letter to Williamson that the investigation “provides compelling evidence suggesting your responsibility for the unauthorised disclosure” from the 23 April meeting of the National Security Council.

“No other credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified,” she added.

Williamson denies that he or his department was the source of the leak.

Britain’s already splintered government was rocked by the scandal over who leaked news that May was to let Huawei develop Britain’s 5G network.

The bitterly disputed decision was reportedly made at the 23 April meeting.

National Security Council discussions are only attended by senior ministers and security officials who first sign the Official Secrets Act that commits them to keep conversations private or risk prosecution.

But The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that May approved granting Huawei permission to build up “non-core” elements of Britain’s next-generation telecommunications network.

The United States is adamantly opposed to Huawei’s involvement because of the firm’s obligation under Chinese law to help its home government gather intelligence or provide other security services when required.

British media reported that Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill — the country’s most senior civil servant — gave those present an ultimatum to deny responsibility for the leak.

Williamson was one of the first to do so, calling it “completely unacceptable”.</s>Britain’s former defence secretary ferociously denied allegations that he leaked details from private government discussions about the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, as opposition leaders called Thursday for a criminal investigation into the scandal.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was fired late Wednesday by Prime Minister Theresa May, who said she had seen “compelling evidence” that he was behind media reports that the government had agreed – against the advice of the United States – to let Huawei participate in some aspects of Britain’s new 5G wireless communications network.

It was the first time in decades that a senior minister has been fired over leaks of sensitive information.

Williamson hit back, telling Sky News that the investigation had been a “witch hunt” and claiming he was the victim of a “kangaroo court with a summary execution.”

Allies of Williamson rallied to his support, demanding that May’s government publish the evidence against him.

“Natural justice requires that the evidence is produced so that his reputation can be salvaged or utterly destroyed,” said Conservative lawmaker Desmond Swayne.

The firing of Williamson was a dramatic display of the divisions and ill-discipline that is roiling Britain’s Conservative-led government.

With May weakened by her failure so far to take Britain out of the European Union, multiple ministers are positioning themselves to try to replace her, partly by cultivating positive press coverage.

Williamson was named in a Daily Telegraph report last week as being one of several ministers alleged to have opposed letting Huawei work on Britain’s 5G infrastructure.

The United States has been lobbying allies including Britain to exclude Huawei from all 5G networks, noting that the Chinese government can force the company to give it backdoor access to data on its networks.

Opposition Labour Party deputy leader Tom Watson said the leak from a top-secret meeting of Britain’s National Security Council was “indicative of the malaise and sickness at the heart of this ailing government.”

He called for a criminal investigation into leaks from the security council, which is made up of senior ministers who receive briefings from military and intelligence chiefs.

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said the government did not plan to refer the matter to police.

“But we would of course co-operate fully should the police themselves consider that an investigation were necessary,” he told lawmakers.

Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick, however, said the force would only investigate if it received a complaint.
British Prime Minister Theresa May fires Gavin Williamson as Secretary of State for Defence, following the leaking of information relating to a National Security Council meeting, regarding the security risk posed by Chinese multinational telecommunications company Huawei. Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordaunt is appointed the first-ever female British Defence Secretary.