Sunak still has confidence in Gavin Williamson after ‘serious’ allegations

1667912441The 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: 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 Matt Mathers8 November 2022 13:001667911241There 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: There is strong empirical evidence to suggest that an adult bully may have psychopathological tendencies such as narcissism and MachiavellianismMatt Mathers8 November 2022 12:401667910110The 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: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. Matt Mathers8 November 2022 12:211667910041They’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: They’ve forgotten that we are far more interested in complaining about the impact of direct action than considering the issues at stakeMatt Mathers8 November 2022 12:201667908841Mr 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: Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock says ID cards ‘so helpful’ in controlling borders Matt Mathers8 November 2022 12:001667907848MEPs from the liberal Renew group have written to the EU legislature’s president asking her to invite the billionaire to attend a scrutiny session.Dita Charanzová, the group’s top MEP on the European Parliament’s internal market committee, said Twitter could not be left to become a ‘dystopian hellscape’ and that EU laws had to be followed.Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports: European legislators say website must not become ‘dystopian hellscape’ and follow law Matt Mathers8 November 2022 11:441667906705A powerful Commons committee has written to Simon Case – and to the prime minister himself – after Mr Sunak failed to deny the top civil servant’s advice was ignored before the home secretary was reappointed.Our deputy politics editor Rob Merrick reports: MPs have demanded the Cabinet Secretary answer detailed questions behind ‘alleged breaches of security’ by Suella Braverman, piling fresh pressure on Rishi Sunak over the controversy.Matt Mathers8 November 2022 11:251667906600Pensioners will be kept to the “forefront” as difficult spending decisions are taken, the work and pensions secretary has said.The comments by Mel Stride come as Rishi Sunak considers raising state pensions and benefits in line with inflation in a move that would likely usher in deeper public spending cuts elsewhere and higher tax rises.The prime minister and chancellor Jeremy Hunt are considering imposing up to £60 billion in tax rises and spending cuts in the autumn budget on 17 November.Mel Stride says there are ‘tough choices’ ahead for the government Treasury sources insisted no decisions have been taken, but did not deny a report in the Times stating they would avoid real-terms cuts on pensions and benefits.Speaking on Times Radio Mr Stride assured pensioners that the government would seek to protect them through the months ahead.He said: “Pensioners are absolutely at the forefront of the group that we want to really protect as much as we can through these difficult times.”But he re-iterated that there are “tough choices” coming for the chancellor.Matt Mathers8 November 2022 11:231667905541There is a “lack of proper standards” and “a lack of ethics” in prime minister Rishi Sunak’s government highlighted by the appointments of Sir Gavin Williamson and Suella Braverman, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said.Sir Gavin allegedly told a senior civil servant to “slit your throat” in what they claimed was a bullying campaign while he was defence secretary.Ms Cooper told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He doesn’t deny using the language. The language is horrible and you can’t imagine people being treated like that at work.”Gavin Williamson was reappointed to the Cabinet even when Rishi Sunak knew there was a new complaint in against him. He has admitted that the language, even in the previous complaint was unacceptable.”Bear in mind he has also appointed him to the Cabinet Office which supports the National Security Council, even though Gavin Williamson was previously sacked by Theresa May for leaking from the National Security Council.”We have also go this other case where Rishi Sunak reappointed Suella Braverman just six days after she was effectively sacked for breaching the ministerial code and security lapses, and where further information and allegations has also come to light since then of security lapses and the leak investigation as well.”You have got this lack of proper standards, a lack of ethics. We have still not got an ethics advisor appointed and (the Tories are) also not taking security issues seriously.”Matt Mathers8 November 2022 11:051667904641A cabinet minister has said he believes the House of Lords is due for reform, “not least” owing to its size, as details emerged of the MPs expected to be granted peerages in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list.But work and pensions Secretary Mel Stride said it would be “very difficult” to get political consensus on any possible shake-up, despite his belief there are “few” in the House of Commons who would oppose change.It comes as Mr Johnson asked the MPs he has nominated for peerages to delay taking them up so they do not trigger by-elections.The politicians are all understood to have agreed to put off heading to the Lords until the end of the current Parliament to spare Rishi Sunak the challenges.Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries is expected to be on Mr Johnson’s resignation honours list.The Times said that so too are Cop26 president Alok Sharma, Scottish secretary Alister Jack and former minister Nigel Adams.Sources close to Mr Johnson did not deny the report, which also said his former chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, deputy Ben Gascoigne and advisers Ross Kempsell and Charlotte Owen will get peerages.Asked if he believes it is appropriate that service to a prime minister should be rewarded in this way, Mr Stride said it would not be right for him to “start opining on individual appointments”.Matt Mathers8 November 2022 10:50