The allegations were made to the Guardian last night and included claims that Sir Gavin, who was the Defense Secretary at the time, told the official on another occasion to “jump out of the window”. The Defense Ministry official claimed his behavior amounted to a sustained campaign of intimidation. The official, who later left the government, said Sir Gavin “deliberately subjugated and bullied them” on a regular basis. They reported the incidents informally to the head of human resources, but decided not to make a formal complaint at the time. Sir Gavin, who led the department from November 2017 to May 2019, said: “I categorically reject this allegation and have a good working relationship with the many brilliant officials I have worked with across government. “No specific allegations were ever brought to my attention.” Tonight the Cabinet Office minister faced fresh accusations from Anne Milton, the former deputy Tory leader, who told Channel 4 News he “loved malicious gossip and would use it as leverage against MPs if need be” when runs the whip’s office. Ms Milton also claimed she used an MP’s financial situation as a source of leverage, telling the programme: ‘I remember her asking me to give the MP in question the cheque. “And he waved it under my nose and said, ‘Make sure when you give him that check, he knows I’ve got him now.’ He added: “I don’t think it was a joke. It was the seriousness with which he said it. And I think the bottom line is that if the circumstances fit your overall experience with someone, then you believe them.” Sky News approached Sir Gavin for a response to Ms Milton’s claims. Downing Street earlier described the former civil servant’s allegations as “serious” and said it would consider “appropriate procedures” before commenting further. The civil servant has now told political editor Beth Rigby that they will formally complain to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), parliament’s independent watchdog. In a statement, they said: “This has been an incredibly difficult time for me. Gavin Williamson’s words and actions have had an extreme impact on my mental health. “Government ministers have a code of conduct they are required to follow. Any form of abuse is unacceptable.” The former civil servant said they decided to come forward “as they felt stronger over time”. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:26 Williamson and his spider had a “mystique” about them The new complaint comes hours after it was confirmed former chief whip Wendy Morton had referred another allegation against Sir Gavin – that he sent her “abusive” messages – to the ICGS. The Cabinet Office minister is already the subject of an internal Conservative Party investigation into the series of threatening messages he allegedly sent to Ms Morton, complaining she had been barred from the Queen’s funeral. Sir Gavin served as Theresa May’s chief whip from 2016 and then as defense secretary from November 2017 to May 2019, but was sacked amid controversy over a government leak. He was rehired by Boris Johnson as education secretary two months later, but was sacked again in September 2021 after much criticism over his handling of the pension during the pandemic. Mr. Sunak brought him back into government two weeks ago to serve as a Cabinet minister, who also attends the cabinet.
