https://sputnikglobe.com/20220305/reward-for-failure-gavin-williamson-under-fire-over-corrupt-knighthood-1093616031.html
Reward for Failure? Gavin Williamson Under Fire Over 'Corrupt' Knighthood
Reward for Failure? Gavin Williamson Under Fire Over 'Corrupt' Knighthood
Sputnik International
On Wednesday, Downing Street said that Queen Elizabeth II "has been pleased to approve that the honour of knighthood be conferred upon" Gavin Williamson, who... 05.03.2022, Sputnik International
2022-03-05T13:59+0000
2022-03-05T13:59+0000
2023-05-28T15:18+0000
government
gavin williamson
boris johnson
knighthood
education
criticism
queen elizabeth ii
united kingdom (uk)
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Former UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson's knighthood is hard to justify and it appears "corrupt", The Times has quoted unnamed Downing Street sources as saying.The remarks come after Downing Street said that it was a political appointment by the Conservative Party, when asked why Williamson's knighthood was announced now and not part of an honours list.Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was quick to respond by describing the 45-year-old's record in the government as "disgraceful".She was echoed by Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who dubbed Williamson's knighthood a "reward for failure".The same tone was shared by Sam Freedman, a former special adviser at the UK Department for Education, who argued that he has been "closely involved with education policy for almost 20 years and Williamson was the worst secretary of state by a long way".Also critical of Williamson being awarded a knighthood was Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats' education spokesperson. She said that "the only award Gavin Williamson should be given is the one for worst education secretary in history", adding that "parents across the country will be outraged at this reward for his abysmal failures". Williamson Axed Twice in Cabinet Over Last Few YearsIn 2017, then-Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Williamson defence secretary, but two years later she sacked him, claiming that she had "lost confidence in his ability to serve".The move was preceded by a probe into a leak from a UK National Security Council meeting on whether the Chinese tech giant Huawei should be involved in building Britain's 5G network.The 45-year-old returned to the cabinet as education secretary in the summer of 2019, after Boris Johnson became prime minister.At the time, Williamson was widely criticised over his handling of school closures, free school meal provision, as well as the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and A-level exams during the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the exams, Williamson was under fire after a statistical model was scrapped following results being downgraded for high achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. He was replaced as education secretary by Nadhim Zahawi in last fall's reshuffle by Johnson.
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government, gavin williamson, boris johnson, knighthood, education, criticism, queen elizabeth ii, united kingdom (uk)
government, gavin williamson, boris johnson, knighthood, education, criticism, queen elizabeth ii, united kingdom (uk)
Reward for Failure? Gavin Williamson Under Fire Over 'Corrupt' Knighthood
13:59 GMT 05.03.2022 (Updated: 15:18 GMT 28.05.2023) On Wednesday, Downing Street said that Queen Elizabeth II "has been pleased to approve that the honour of knighthood be conferred upon" Gavin Williamson, who has been twice sacked from the government over the past three years.
Former UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson's knighthood is hard to justify and it appears "corrupt", The Times has quoted unnamed Downing Street sources as saying.
One of the sources added that the move, which was announced by the government on Wednesday, "might be a way of making sure he [Williamson] stays onside, but his influence with colleagues is not what it was".
The remarks come after Downing Street said that it was a political appointment by the Conservative Party, when asked why Williamson's knighthood was announced now and not part of an honours list.
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was quick to respond by describing the 45-year-old's record in the government as "disgraceful".
"Gavin Williamson left children to go hungry, created two years of complete chaos over exams, and failed to get laptops out to kids struggling to learn during lockdowns. [Prime Minister] Boris Johnson is proving again it's one rule for him and his mates and another for the rest of us. This shows utter contempt for the challenges children and education staff have faced during the pandemic", Phillipson stated.
She was echoed by Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who dubbed Williamson's knighthood a "reward for failure".
The same tone was shared by Sam Freedman, a former special adviser at the UK Department for Education, who argued that he has been "closely involved with education policy for almost 20 years and Williamson was the worst secretary of state by a long way".
Also critical of Williamson being awarded a knighthood was Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrats' education spokesperson. She said that "the only award Gavin Williamson should be given is the one for worst education secretary in history", adding that "parents across the country will be outraged at this reward for his abysmal failures".
Williamson Axed Twice in Cabinet Over Last Few Years
In 2017, then-Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Williamson defence secretary, but two years later she sacked him, claiming that she had "lost confidence in his ability to serve".
The move was preceded by a probe into a leak from a UK National Security Council meeting on whether
the Chinese tech giant Huawei should be involved in building Britain's 5G network.
PM May argued at the time that she had "compelling evidence" that it was Williamson who was responsible for the leak, claims that he vehemently denied.
The 45-year-old returned to the cabinet as education secretary in the summer of 2019, after Boris Johnson became prime minister.
At the time, Williamson was widely criticised over his handling of school closures, free school meal provision, as well as the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and A-level exams during
the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of the exams, Williamson was under fire after a statistical model was scrapped following results being downgraded for high achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. He was replaced as education secretary by Nadhim Zahawi in last fall's reshuffle by Johnson.
