Theresa May defends decision to sack Gavin Williamson as defence secretary

Theresa May has defended her decision to sack Gavin Williamson from his position as defence secretary this week after an inquiry found "compelling evidence" he leaked information from the National Security Council (NSC).

Information regarding the government's decision to complete a deal with Huawei to help build the UK's 5G network was leaked to the media in April. 

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Williamson has been blamed for the leak, but has maintained his innocence since May sacked him in a meeting between the pair earlier this week.

"The investigation was conducted properly and was about the fact that something was leaked from the NSC, and the importance of everybody around that table having trust when they come together in those meetings," May told Sky News.

"The importance of this was not about the information that was leaked, it was where it was leaked from. This was about the NSC and trust in the NSC."

Williamson believes he has been wrongfully dismissed and welcomed a thorough police investigation into the leak, insisting he would get the "nicest apology" from the prime minister if one was conducted.

At the time of his sacking, he said he was "visibly shocked" when May dismissed him and challenged her to provide a fully copy of the report that found him responsible. 

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"This was an inquiry that was properly conducted, it was conducted in the way that one would expect an inquiry of this sort to be conducted," May added.

"As a result, I took the decision that it was necessary for the then secretary of state for defence to leave his post."