Gavin Williamson

The PM's judgement is likely to come under scrutiny after his minister quits following bullying claims.

Sir Gavin's resignation marks the third time he has been forced from government. In reply, Mr Sunak said he accepted the resignation "with great sadness" and thanked Sir Gavin for his "personal support and loyalty". He added that he had apologised to the recipient of the text messages and would comply with the complaints process to "clear my name of any wrongdoing". She accused Mr Sunak of appointing Sir Gavin as part of a "grubby little backroom deal" to make himself prime minister instead of "governing the country in the interests of the British people". [resignation letter](https://twitter.com/GavinWilliamson/status/1590074499889696768?s=20&t=vr_ogMhfvb-Jkwa65-0Ncg), Sir Gavin said he refuted the "characterisation" of the claims "about my past conduct" but felt they had become a "distraction from the good work the government is doing". No 10 has said the prime minister "knew there was a disagreement" but that he didn't know the "substance" of that messages until they were published by the Sunday Times.