Gavin Williamson has accused the prime minister of mishandling his sacking as defence secretary, describing it as a "shabby and discredited witch hunt".

Mr Williamson said he wanted a "full and impartial investigation" into the Huawei leak that led to his dismissal, with Scotland Yard having said the disclosure from a National Security Council (NSC) meeting did not breach the Official Secrets Act.

He said: "With the Metropolitan Police not willing to do a criminal investigation, it is clear a proper, full and impartial investigation needs to be conducted on this shabby and discredited witch hunt that has been so badly mishandled by both the prime minister and (senior civil servant) Mark Sedwill."

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Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby said Mr Williamson had "come out all guns blazing" against Theresa May, who was hoping the fallout would "go away" after defending her decision to dismiss him.

Rigby explained: "She had hoped this story would go away, but I think this story will run on into next week.


"We will have to see when everyone goes back to the Commons how this plays out, what are his next moves, how much pressure does he continue to put on prime minister.

"She is already under huge pressure after shocking losses in the local elections. She is under pressure to set out her departure date and now Williamson is coming for her.

"She wants him to shut up and go away and he really won't."

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Some at Westminster had called for a criminal investigation into the leak of a decision to green-light a bid by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to help build Britain's 5G network, details of which found their way into the media.

Mrs May told Sky News on Friday she has confidence the inquiry that led to Mr Williamson being fired was "properly conducted" after it found "compelling evidence" that he leaked the information.

The prime minister added: "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."

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Mr Williamson has asked for a copy of the report that led to his dismissal, but Mrs May refused to answer directly to his plea when asked by Beth Rigby.

"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," she said.

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

Image: Huawei has become one of the world's leading smartphone manufacturers

There has been no official confirmation from the government that it does plan to allow Huawei to play a key role in the development of 5G in the UK, amid concerns it could enable spying by the Chinese government.

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Australia, New Zealand and the US are among the Western nations to have barred the company from supplying vital elements of their infrastructure, and Canada could follow suit.

Following reports that the NSC had decided to allow Huawei to be involved in Britain, Downing Street said: "We don't comment on NSC discussions."

The Cabinet Office has discussed the leak with Met Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, who said he had also taken legal advice over the fallout.

Image: Royal Navy reservist Penny Mordaunt replaced Mr Williamson as defence secretary

He said he was "satisfied that the disclosure did not amount to a criminal offence" and that it was not a matter for the police, adding: "Any organisation has the right to conduct an internal investigation into conduct in the workplace. It is not a matter for the police unless a crime is alleged.

"No crime has been alleged by the owner of the material and I am clear that the leak did not cause damage to the public interest at a level at which it would be necessary to engage Misconduct in a Public Office.

"It would be inappropriate to carry out a police investigation in these circumstances."

Image: Theresa May has said she was justified in sacking Mr Williamson

Mr Williamson - who has been replaced as defence secretary by Penny Mordaunt - previously told Sky News he would get the "nicest apology" from the prime minister if a criminal inquiry had gone ahead.

He had been "massively comfortable" with the prospect, adding that he was "visibly shocked" when he was informed of the decision to sack him.