SUNDAY 4 AUGUST 2019In the rehiring line
After Williamson’s speedy return to the Cabinet, critics call for
his severance package to be repaid to taxpayers
Theresa May sacked Williamson as defence secretary in May (AFP/Getty)
BENJAMIN KENTISH
Gavin Williamson is facing calls to pay back thousands of pounds to the taxpayer amid claims that he
profited financially from being sacked as defence secretary.
The new education secretary returned to the government when Boris Johnson assumed office last month
but was still receiving severance pay after leaving his previous cabinet job less than three months earlier. Mr
Williamson was dismissed by Theresa May in May after being accused of leaking details of national security
discussions about the role of Chinese telecoms company Huawei in the UK.
He strongly denied being the source of the leak but was sacked after having the finger pointed at him