BBC Online :
Chief Whip Gavin Williamson has been appointed as the new defence secretary after Sir Michael Fallon’s resignation.
Sir Michael quit on Wednesday saying his past behaviour may have “fallen short” of the standards expected by the UK military. He became the first politician to quit following recently revealed claims of sexual harassment in Parliament. South Staffordshire MP Mr Williamson, 41, said he was “both honoured and excited” by the promotion. He has been replaced as chief whip by his former deputy, Julian Smith, who will now be in charge of enforcing party discipline in the Commons. Mr Smith’s deputy will be Tatton MP – and former GMTV presenter – Esther McVey. In a statement following his appointment, Mr Williamson said he was “determined to ensure that the armed forces receive the recognition they deserve for the great work they do, including through the Armed Forces Covenant, and that they evolve both to meet the changing threats that we face and to ensure that they properly represent the modern society that they defend”.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said that while Mr Williamson was seen as an effective operator some Conservatives were furious that an MP with no ministerial experience had been promoted to the cabinet.
One Tory MP, Sarah Wollaston, told BBC Radio 4’s World at One that Penny Mordaunt and Tobias Ellwood had been possible alternatives adding: “These are decisions that are made through patronage. Part of the role of the chief whip is to advise the prime minister about the suitability of the candidate.”
Conservative MP Bob Stewart – a former Army colonel – described Mr Williamson as a “decent, calm man… he’s also a very thoughtful man”. “He won’t know much about defence but I believe the civil service in the Ministry of Defence, the generals and the Armed Forces themselves won’t mind that too much because he’s the sort of person that will listen carefully, take advice but then make his own decision.”
Chief Whip Gavin Williamson has been appointed as the new defence secretary after Sir Michael Fallon’s resignation.
Sir Michael quit on Wednesday saying his past behaviour may have “fallen short” of the standards expected by the UK military. He became the first politician to quit following recently revealed claims of sexual harassment in Parliament. South Staffordshire MP Mr Williamson, 41, said he was “both honoured and excited” by the promotion. He has been replaced as chief whip by his former deputy, Julian Smith, who will now be in charge of enforcing party discipline in the Commons. Mr Smith’s deputy will be Tatton MP – and former GMTV presenter – Esther McVey. In a statement following his appointment, Mr Williamson said he was “determined to ensure that the armed forces receive the recognition they deserve for the great work they do, including through the Armed Forces Covenant, and that they evolve both to meet the changing threats that we face and to ensure that they properly represent the modern society that they defend”.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said that while Mr Williamson was seen as an effective operator some Conservatives were furious that an MP with no ministerial experience had been promoted to the cabinet.
One Tory MP, Sarah Wollaston, told BBC Radio 4’s World at One that Penny Mordaunt and Tobias Ellwood had been possible alternatives adding: “These are decisions that are made through patronage. Part of the role of the chief whip is to advise the prime minister about the suitability of the candidate.”
Conservative MP Bob Stewart – a former Army colonel – described Mr Williamson as a “decent, calm man… he’s also a very thoughtful man”. “He won’t know much about defence but I believe the civil service in the Ministry of Defence, the generals and the Armed Forces themselves won’t mind that too much because he’s the sort of person that will listen carefully, take advice but then make his own decision.”
