UK’s Rishi Sunak “Regrets” Appointing a Bullying Minister

The appointment of a disgraced ally, whose departure drew scathing criticism of the new leader's political judgment, was regretted by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday.
Following accusations that he had sent threatening communications to parliamentarians and former coworkers, Gavin Williamson announced his resignation from Prime Minister Sunak's new administration late on Tuesday.

Gavin Williamson was twice forced to quit the cabinet, but when Rishi Sunak became prime minister last month, he nominated him as an all-purpose fixer and policy enforcer.

Rishi Sunak told opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer in parliament, "I regret hiring someone who has had to retire in these circumstances."

Without a doubt, the behavior that was the subject of the complaint was wrong, he continued, underlining that he was unaware of any "particular concerns" about Williamson resulting from his previous government positions.

After appointing Suella Braverman as interior minister to please Conservative right-wingers despite doubts about her ability, Mr. Starmer used Mr. Sunak's resignation to paint him as weak.

The Labour leader mentioned that Mr. Williamson had a tarantula in his office when he was in charge of party discipline as the government's top whip.

Sunak asks, "What chance does he have of governing the country if he can't fight off a cartoon bully with a pet spider? Stated Mr. Starmer.

After the swift departures of his predecessors, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, this year, the prime minister promised that his government will be marked by "integrity, professionalism, and accountability."

The previous premier Theresa May and Boris Johnson fired Mr. Williamson, 46, twice while he was a minister, the latter for disclosing confidential material while he was the defense secretary.