Watson calls for £17k payout to be refused

GAVIN Williamson will still be entitled to severance pay of nearly £17,000 after being sacked last night.

Ministers who leave office generally get a payment of three months of their annual ministerial salary.

Cabinet ministers are paid £141,505, made up of their £ 74,000 MP salary and £67,505 ministerial pay. So three months’ ministerial salary is £16, 76.25. Last night, Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said: ‘If he has leaked from the National Security Council, Gavin Williamson should be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act. And he should forgo his ministerial severance pay.’

Last year, Priti Patel walked away with nearly £17,000 after being forced to resign as international development secretary.