Gavin Williamson: ex-education secretary ‘tipped for knighthood’ following departure from Cabinet
Gavin Williamson, the UK’s former education secretary has reportedly been tipped for knighthood following his departure from the Cabinet earlier this month.
Sources have reported to the Telegraph that the MP for South Staffordshire is expected to be featured in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s upcoming honors list.
When approached by the Telegraph about the rumors, Williamson declined to comment, saying it was “not something I have heard about”.
Williamson managed to hang on to his role as Education Secretary, despite numerous calls for his resignation, until the Cabinet was reshuffled earlier this week. The most recent reshuffle saw Gavin Williamson sacked from the role after two years of service.
The MP has also previously been sacked from his position as defense secretary, though he reported that he was proud of the transformational reforms he brought about during his time as education secretary.
He said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Education Secretary since 2019. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, I’m particularly proud of the transformational reforms I’ve led in Post 16 education: in further education colleges, our Skills agenda, apprenticeships and more.
“This programme will create better life opportunities for pupils and students for many years to come. I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister and the Government.”
In the past Williamson has been guilty of a number of gaffes outside of his department, most recently he has been the victim of criticism after confusing England footballer Marcus Ashford with rugby player Maro Itoje.
He was also widely mocked for his remarks at the time of the 2018 Salisbury poisonings while serving as defense secretary.
When asked how the Kremlin would react to the UK expelling its diplomats, Gavin Williamson said that Russia should “shut up” and “go away”.
His time in the Ministry of Defense lasted about as long as his time as Education Secretary, having been fired by former prime minister Theresa May after he leaked confidential National Security Council information in relation to Huawei’s involvement in the UK’s 5G network.
