Related video: Grant Shapps says Williamson’s text messages to chief whip were ‘unacceptable’
Rishi Sunak regards bullying allegations against cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson as “serious” and is considering whether any action should be taken on them, Downing Street has said.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said that no formal complaint has been received in relation to the claims that Sir Gavin as defence secretary told a civil servant to “slit your throat” and “jump out of the window”.
Asked about the claims about Sir Gavin’s actions, Mr Sunak’s spokesperson told reporters: “There have been further allegations reported this morning. These are serious allegations.
“It’s true that no formal complaint has been made, but we will want to consider proper processes before commenting further.” The spokesperson said that Sir Gavin retains the “full confidence” of the prime minister.
Sir Gavin already faces an independent investigation after Conservative MP Wendy Morton referred her allegation of abusive messages he sent to her to a parliamentary watchdog.
‘Time we had a say’: Red-wall voters want general election to sort out ‘shambles’
Voters in the Conservatives’ crucial “red wall” region have said they want a general election now to end the political “shambles” inside government.
Two in three members of a focus group in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland said Rishi Sunak should get his own mandate from the public following the “mess” of recent months.
The focus group, convened by More in Common for The Independent, also revealed the uphill struggle the prime minister faces in convincing voters that he is on their side – with one describing him as “richer than the King”.
Our politics correspondent Adam Forrest reports:
MPs table bill to force Rishi Sunak to appoint new ethics watchdog
MPs are to table a bill in the House of Commons to force Rishi Sunak to appoint a new ethics advisor – as the watchdog role sits vacant.
The government’s last ethics advisor, Lord Geidt, resigned in June as Boris Johnson shrugged off a series of scandals and clung onto power.
But neither Mr Johnson, nor Liz Truss, nor Rishi Sunak have appointed anyone else to the role, which has now been vacant for more than 145 days.
Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:
‘The nasty party is back’ – Labour source
Mark Francois’s alleged racial slur shows the “nasty party is firmly back”, Labour has said.
A party source told The Independent: “If there was ever any doubt, the nasty party is firmly back.
“While Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party are distracted by scandal after scandal, their MPs are bringing our parliament into disrepute by using derogatory, racist language in the chamber.”
The source added: “Mark Francois may need reminding that it is 2022, not 1940. He should apologise for this language.”
Tory MP rebuked over ‘crass racial slur’ in Commons
The speaker of the House of Commons rebuked a Conservative MP after he used the word J*** in parliament to refer to the Japanese.
Speaker Hoyle said the term, which was described by one Labour MP as an “outdated and crass racial slur”, “should not be used”.
The row erupted just days after a Tory minister was criticised for using the phrase “little man” in relation to China.
The comment was made by Mark Francois, a former Armed Forces minister, during questions to the defence secretary Ben Wallace.
Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Trump’s attack on Ron ‘DeSanctimonious’ shows he’s a time bomb ready to blow up the GOP
At a rally where he was supposed to be supporting Republican candidates, Trump chose instead to attack one of his primary challengers within the GOP. Now we know what he really thinks of his own party, writes Noah Berlatsky.
Read Noah’s full piece here:
ICYMI: Can Keir Starmer’s Labour Party be a broad church?
The leader of the opposition may appear to be a control freak, but what he is trying to do makes sense, writes Marie Le Conte.
Read Marie’s full piece here:
Gavin Williamson, Priti Patel: Why are there so many allegations of bullying in the Conservative Party?
There is strong empirical evidence to suggest that an adult bully may have psychopathological tendencies such as narcissism and Machiavellianism, writes Victoria Richards.
Read Victoria’s full piece here:
Breaking: Sunak says ‘slit your throat’ allegations against Gavin Williamson are ‘serious
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said that no formal complaint has been received in relation to the claims that Williamson as defence secretary told a civil servant to “slit your throat” and “jump out of the window”.
Our politics editor Andy Woodcock reports:
Just Stop Oil and striking nurses are making one terrible mistake
They’ve forgotten that we are far more interested in complaining about the impact of direct action than considering the issues at stake, writes Harriet Williamson.
Read Harriet’s full piece here:
Yvette Cooper quashes ID card idea after Labour frontbencher says ‘on the table’
Mr Kinnock, shadow minister for immigration, said identity cards should “certainly be on the table” as one solution to control small boat crossings and migrants working illegally in the UK.
Our politics correspondent Adam Forrest reports:
