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The Williamson inquiry was a Whitehall rarity: quick and decisive The Williamson inquiry was a Whitehall rarity: quick and decisive
(32 minutes later)
Most internal Whitehall inquiries drag on for months, if not longer, and definitive conclusions are rare. The probe by Sir Mark Sedwill into who leaked information from a National Security Council meeting last week was different on both counts.Most internal Whitehall inquiries drag on for months, if not longer, and definitive conclusions are rare. The probe by Sir Mark Sedwill into who leaked information from a National Security Council meeting last week was different on both counts.
The circumstances were also different – as soon as the Telegraph reported that Chinese firm Huawei would play a role in the UK’s 5G communications network despite the worries of some cabinet ministers, there was anger that such a decision would be divulged to the media.The circumstances were also different – as soon as the Telegraph reported that Chinese firm Huawei would play a role in the UK’s 5G communications network despite the worries of some cabinet ministers, there was anger that such a decision would be divulged to the media.
The report appeared in the papers on Wednesday last week. The following day senior Tory Nicholas Soames said the leak would “cause our friends and allies to wonder if we can be considered reliable”, saying that whoever was responsible would be sacked.The report appeared in the papers on Wednesday last week. The following day senior Tory Nicholas Soames said the leak would “cause our friends and allies to wonder if we can be considered reliable”, saying that whoever was responsible would be sacked.
The official response began the next day as Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, began an inquiry which reportedly involved ministers and their advisers being issued with questionnaires in which they had to explain where they were following Tuesday’s NSC meeting.The official response began the next day as Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, began an inquiry which reportedly involved ministers and their advisers being issued with questionnaires in which they had to explain where they were following Tuesday’s NSC meeting.
It is understood that the inquiry was so thorough that even Theresa May and any No 10 team members present at the NSC meeting were asked to account for their subsequent actions.It is understood that the inquiry was so thorough that even Theresa May and any No 10 team members present at the NSC meeting were asked to account for their subsequent actions.
Sir Mark Sedwill became Britain’s most powerful civil servant in autumn 2018, after it became clear that predecessor Sir Jeremy Heywood was terminally ill. He took the job without having to go through a formal interview process.
Already the country’s national security adviser, he had been deputising for Heywood and, having worked with Theresa May for several years, the 54-year-old was someone May felt she could trust.
Unlike all but one of his predecessors, Sedwill had never worked at the Treasury, although he holds a masters in economics from Oxford. “Mine is an unusual background for cabinet secretary, having spent much of my career overseas in security and international roles,” he said recently.Sedwill rose up through the Diplomatic Service, becoming Britain’s ambassador to Afghanistan in 2009 and Nato’s representative in the conflict-ridden country a year later. There were also spells in the Home Office before he became permanent secretary there at what was May’s department in 2013.
Ministerial advisers say his background means he has little patience for leaks, currently running at epidemic rates amid the constant rowing about Brexit. “He just doesn’t understand why anybody would leak, whereas Heywood would see it as an occasional occupational hazard,” one said.Some even believe Sedwill has been looking for the opportunity to prosecute a leaker, with regular cabinet papers marked secret so they would be covered under the Official Secrets Act, meaning that any leaks could potentially be a criminal offence.The sharply worded letter he sent to the senior ministers who sit on the National Security Council on 25 April 2019 made clear that immediate cooperation with the forthcoming inquiry was expected. As a result of his investigations, Gavin Williamson was sacked as defence secretary.
Dan Sabbagh, Defence and security editor
The investigation spread near-panic among some advisers, who are used to briefing journalists in a period rife with leaks when a series of ministers are jostling to become the next prime minister.The investigation spread near-panic among some advisers, who are used to briefing journalists in a period rife with leaks when a series of ministers are jostling to become the next prime minister.
They were also asked to give details of their mobile phones, with the expectation the inquiry could examine details of relevant calls or messages. Sedwill, who is also the National Security Adviser, ordered ministers to comply by Friday afternoon.They were also asked to give details of their mobile phones, with the expectation the inquiry could examine details of relevant calls or messages. Sedwill, who is also the National Security Adviser, ordered ministers to comply by Friday afternoon.
The focus immediately fell on cabinet ministers (and their special advisers or other aides) who attended the NSC meeting and were reported to have expressed worries about the decision to include Huawei in the 5G project.The focus immediately fell on cabinet ministers (and their special advisers or other aides) who attended the NSC meeting and were reported to have expressed worries about the decision to include Huawei in the 5G project.
These included the then defence secretary Gavin Williamson, as well as the home secretary Sajid Javid, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, international development secretary Penny Mordaunt and international trade secretary Liam Fox.These included the then defence secretary Gavin Williamson, as well as the home secretary Sajid Javid, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, international development secretary Penny Mordaunt and international trade secretary Liam Fox.
All swiftly denied any responsibility, whether directly or via aides.All swiftly denied any responsibility, whether directly or via aides.
Hunt later confirmed that he had been questioned by officials and that he would be prepared to hand over his phone for examination. “I would be very happy for anyone to look at my phone, as would my trusted special adviser,” he said.Hunt later confirmed that he had been questioned by officials and that he would be prepared to hand over his phone for examination. “I would be very happy for anyone to look at my phone, as would my trusted special adviser,” he said.
Some MPs called for the leak to be referred to the police, or for MI5 investigators to be brought in, but neither of these happened.Some MPs called for the leak to be referred to the police, or for MI5 investigators to be brought in, but neither of these happened.
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Further chronology can be gleaned from May’s letter sacking Williamson. This showed that she called him to a meeting on Tuesday evening, during which she asked him to account for “compelling evidence” that he was behind the leak. She was not satisfied, and he was dismissed the next day.Further chronology can be gleaned from May’s letter sacking Williamson. This showed that she called him to a meeting on Tuesday evening, during which she asked him to account for “compelling evidence” that he was behind the leak. She was not satisfied, and he was dismissed the next day.
There have been other less serious leaks of details from NSC meetings, and some pundits did speculate whether any heads would actually roll over the divulgence of a decision which would have been made public anyway – especially amid a climate of near-universal leaking from cabinet. But Sedwill and May had other ideas.There have been other less serious leaks of details from NSC meetings, and some pundits did speculate whether any heads would actually roll over the divulgence of a decision which would have been made public anyway – especially amid a climate of near-universal leaking from cabinet. But Sedwill and May had other ideas.
Gavin WilliamsonGavin Williamson
HuaweiHuawei
Theresa MayTheresa May
Defence policyDefence policy
House of CommonsHouse of Commons
ConservativesConservatives
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