Embattled minister Sir Gavin Williamson has stated that he will not accept severance pay after resigning over bullying allegations.
The MP announced late Tuesday night that he will reject the money that government ministers and whips are automatically entitled to, arguing that it should instead be used to fund other “priorities,” such as lowering NHS waiting lists.
“To dispel any speculation, I want to make it clear that I will not be taking any severance,” Sir Gavin tweeted.
“This is taxpayers’ money and it should go instead toward the Government‘s priorities like reducing the NHS’s waiting lists.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Sir Gavin stood down after accepting that allegations about his conduct had become “a distraction”. It is the third time he has left government in as many years.
He has been accused of sending expletive-laden messages to former chief whip Wendy Morton, complaining about being refused an invitation to the Queen’s funeral.
He was also the subject of claims he bullied a former official at the Ministry of Defence and engaged in “unethical and immoral” behaviour while he was chief whip.
