Gavin Williamson sacked, but denies guilt on Huawei leak. What went on?

Gavin Williamson has been sacked from government following an investigation into the Huawei leak from a meeting of the National Security Council – replaced by Penny Mordaunt. Announcing the decision, a Downing Street spokesperson said Theresa May had asked Williamson to leave government having ‘lost confidence in his ability to serve in the role of Defence Secretary’:

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

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 Prime Minister thanks all members of the National Security Council for their full cooperation and candour during the investigation and considers the matter closed.’

The decision comes after an investigation was launched after a leak about plans to allow the Chinese telecoms firm Huawei to help build the UK’s 5G network made its way to The Daily Telegraph.