As Jeremy Corbyn comes under pressure from his own party over his stance on Russia, Theresa May is looking increasingly statesman-like by comparison. The Prime Minister’s handling of the attempted murder of a former Russian double agent on British soil has won her praise – with a SkyData poll today finding that 69pc surveyed would prefer May to deal with Russia than the Labour leader.
So, more’s the pity for the Conservatives that today Gavin Williamson put in some rather un-statesman like behaviour. The Defence Secretary used an appearance in Bristol – where he pledged £50 million for a new chemical weapon defence centre – to issue Moscow with a warning. Speaking in response to Russia’s plans to expel British diplomats following the Prime Minister’s sanctions, Williamson told Russia to… ‘go away and shut up’.
"Frankly Russia should go away, it should shut up" – UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson asked about Russia's response to its diplomats being expelled https://t.co/MoQBur2QI3 pic.twitter.com/xr94PxX23c
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 15, 2018
Now it’s unlikely Williamson’s words will have Putin quaking in his boots – the language is so childish it lacks any gravitas. It’s also given Opposition MPs – who were broadly in support of the government – something they can attack.
As the diplomatic situation with Russia deteriorates we needed an appropriate response, up steps Gavin our intrepid Tory defence secretary who tells the Russians to "just go away and shut up" I am sure that will have Putin and the Kremlin shaking with fear in their winter boots
— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) March 15, 2018
Not the detailed, thoughtful response one expects of a Defence Secretary. Tone and content wrong when people want to be assured he has a grip. https://t.co/vbt7bHM0Eu
— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) March 15, 2018
But perhaps more concerning to Williamson is the fact that it is music to the ears of his foes within the Conservative party. Since Williamson’s surprise appointment last year to Defence Secretary, the former Chief Whip has been seen to be in a hurry. At times, it’s almost as though he’s in the midst of a one-man leadership race – whether it’s posing with animals, going to war with the Chancellor on defence spending, saving dogs or issuing strong statements about killing jihadis. His antics have ruffled feathers with Philip Hammond’s allies nicknaming him ‘Private Pike’ – over his inexperience. Today’s episode will do little to silence those critics who say Williamson lacks the required experience to be May’s successor.
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