UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sacked over Huawei leak

World Wednesday 01/May/2019 22:01 PM
By: Times News Service
UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sacked over Huawei leak

London: British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has been asked to step down by Prime Minister Theresa May after confidential information from a high-level National Security Council meeting was leaked.

Theresa May claimed that she had compelling evidence that Williamson was responsible for the leak.

In a statement, Downing Street announced that it has asked Williamson to step down because the prime minister ‘has lost faith in his ability to serve her government.’

"The Prime Minister has this evening asked Gavin Williamson to leave the Government, having lost confidence in his ability to serve his role of Defence Secretary and as a member of her Cabinet," the statement said.

"The Prime Minister's decision has been informed by his conduct surrounding an investigation into the circumstances of the unauthorised disclosure of information from a meeting of the National Security Council.”

The inquiry into the National Security Council (NSC) leak began after a British newspaper, Daily Telegraph, reported on the Huawei decision and subsequent warnings within cabinet about possible risks to national security over a deal with Huawei.

The NSC consists of senior cabinet ministers and its weekly meetings are chaired by the prime minister, with other ministers, officials and senior figures from the armed forces and intelligence agencies invited when needed.

Theresa May also appointed Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt, to take on the role as the new Defence Secretary.