From loyal enforcer to gaffe-prone ‘Private Pike’

When he landed the defence job, Gavin Williamson achieved the highly unusual distinction of being promoted directly into the Cabinet without having held a more junior ministerial job.

The Prime Minister may now be regretting that decision to overlook his lack of experience after sacking a former close colleague who acquired the nickname Private Pike – after the hapless Dad’s Army character – during his stint in the Ministry of Defence.

The 42-year-old MP for South Staffordshire had been a vital part of Theresa May’s inner circle after being appointed as her chief whip when she took office in July 2016.

As a whip, he was best known in Westminster for keeping a pet tarantula named Cronus in a glass box on his desk, adding menace when dealing with errant MPS in his role as Mrs May’s enforcer.

As Defence Secretary, he became known for putting his foot in his mouth.

At the height of the furore over the Salisbury novichok attack in March 2018, Mr Williamson urged Russia to “go away and shut up”. In December the previous year, he was accused of pursuing a policy that “belongs in a Netflix series” after saying Islamist fighters should be hunted down and killed.

Some commentators speculated that the remarks were designed to boost his appeal with a view to boosting his chances of succeeding Mrs May.