Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Defence Minister Gavin Williamson arrive for a meeting in Brussels in July 2018. Photo: Reuters
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https://scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3008491/theresa-may-sacks-british-defence-minister-gavin-williamson-over Europe
Theresa May sacks British defence minister Gavin Williamson over Huawei leak
- In letter to Williamson, May says she has ‘compelling evidence’ he is behind ‘unauthorised disclosure’ of plan to let Huawei build parts of UK’s 5G network
- Denying he was involved, Williamson said he was offered chance to resign but turned it down as it would have been an acceptance of guilt
Britain's Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson outside Downing Street on April 2. Photo: Reuters
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday 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 April 23 meeting of the National Security Council.
“No other credible version of events to explain this leak has been identified,” she added.
“This is an extremely serious matter and a deeply disappointing one,” she added, with Williamson now facing the possibility of a criminal probe.
“This must now be referred to the Metropolitan Police for a thorough criminal investigation into breaches of the Official Secrets Act,” said Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable.
Williamson responded in a letter to May, saying he was “sorry you felt recent leaks” originated from the defence ministry.
“I strenuously 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.”
Pedestrians use their mobile phones near a Huawei advert at a bus stop in central London on Monday. Photo: AFP
He revealed that May had given him the chance to resign, but turned it down as it would have been an acceptance of guilt.
Downing Street later announced that Penny Mordaunt, the Minister for Women and Equalities, would replace Williamson and become Britain’s first female defence minister, while continuing in her current role.
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 April 23 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 “noncore” 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.
I strenuously 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
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”.