Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sacked over Huawei leak

[T_i_B]

Last edited Wed May 1, 2019, 02:56 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48126974

Gavin Williamson has been sacked as defence secretary following an inquiry into a leak from a top-level National Security Council meeting.

Downing Street said the PM had "lost confidence in his ability to serve" and Penny Mordaunt will take on the role.

The inquiry followed reports over a plan to allow Huawei limited access to help build the UK's new 5G network. Mr Williamson, who has been defence secretary since 2017, "strenuously" denies leaking the information.

In a meeting with Mr Williamson on Wednesday evening, Theresa May told him she had information that provided "compelling evidence" that he was responsible for the unauthorised disclosure. In a letter confirming his dismissal, she said: "No other, credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified."

[Soph0571]

1. Just been watching this on the news

Bloody hell!! He got trashed big style.

[T_i_B]

2. I'm surprised that Theresa May has taken such firm action...

...given her failure to deal with the likes of Boris Johnson and Chris Grayling. So fair play to her for making an example of Gavin Williamson.

Still, I'm not filled with confidence by the appointment of Penny Mordaunt to replace him.

[Soph0571]

3. Well I figure he does not have any natural allies

But leaking on this is unacceptable - he was in charge of defence of the nation for crying out loud

Penny is a light weight IMO - the defence chiefs will run rings round her. Oh goody

[T_i_B]

4. She's also a blatant liar

During the Brexit referendum in 2016, Mordaunt repeatedly lied that Turkey was about to join the European Union.

[Soph0571]

5. As with much else about the referendum I had blocked that

Yeah. Liar and Racist....

[nitpicker]

6. Link to DW

https://www.dw.com/en/uk-defense-minister-gavin-williamson-sacked-over-huawei-leak/a-48566923