---
title: "Fired UK defence minister Williamson denies Huawei leak"
description: "LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) - Fired by British Prime Minister Theresa May as defence secretary on Wednesday, Gavin Williamson denied leaking information about Chinese telecoms company Huawei from her National Security Council."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-05-01-fired-uk-defence-minister-williamson-denies-huawei-leak/"
published: "2019-05-01T21:48:32"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 235
---

# Fired UK defence minister Williamson denies Huawei leak

> LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) - Fired by British Prime Minister Theresa May as defence secretary on Wednesday, Gavin Williamson denied leaking information about Chinese telecoms company Huawei from her National Security Council.

By Reuters · Published 1 May 2019, 23:48 SAST

## Content

Below is a copy of Williamson's response to May.

Dear Prime Minister,

It has been a great privilege to serve as defence secretary and chief whip in your Government. Every day I have seen the extraordinary work of the men and women of our armed forces, who go to incredible lengths to defend our country.

I am sorry that you feel recent leaks from the National Security Council originated in my Department. I emphatically believe this was not the case. I strenuously deny that I was in any way involved in this leak and I am confident that a thorough and formal inquiry would have vindicated my position.

I have always trusted my civil servants, military advisers and staff. I believe the assurances they have given me.

I appreciate you offering me the option to resign, but to resign would have been to accept that I, my civil servants, my military advisers or my staff were responsible: this was not the case.

Restoring public confidence in the NSC is an ambition we both share. With that in mind I hope that your decision achieves this aim rather than being seen as a temporary distraction.

As I said there has been no greater privilege than working with our armed forces and I will continue to stand up for our service personnel and the superb work they do.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce Editing by Frances Kerry) DM