COMMENT: Gavin Williamson won't go quietly

The Prime Minister says it's case closed. She thinks she has her man.

But in the great Huaweidunnit scandal the mystery still doesn't appear to be solved, writes Rob Golledge.

In a spectacular fall from grace, South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson was sacked as Defence Secretary after 'compelling evidence' demonstrated he leaked sensitive details over Chinese involvement in the UK's 5G internet network from the highly-classified National Security Council.

He strenuously denies it.

• Gavin Williamson: I've been let down by Theresa May

On a personal level it is sad to see someone who I have known for the best part of a decade - first through this newspaper as a fresh-faced 23-year-old reporter and later as his special adviser at the MOD - suffer such a brutal and devastating sacking that could have major implications for his career and on his family.

Yet we shouldn’t have too much sympathy for politicians. This is the game they play. If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

And Gavin - having been a master of the dark arts throughout his political life - will know more than most of the risk you take and the price you pay.

I have no reason to doubt Theresa May. If we cannot trust her judgement or that of her trusted lieutenant Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill over this unsavoury affair, then who can we trust?

But I am also willing to give Gavin the benefit of the doubt. His robust denial is most extraordinary, and I can't believe he would be foolish enough to deny it in the manner that he has done if it is true.

If that is the case, the he deserves every inch of criticism.

But what if he is right?

If he is, then the leaker is still at large around the National Security Council table.

I know I can't have it both ways. That's why the Prime Minister and Sir Mark, having elevated this issue to highest levels in Government, need to either release the 'compelling evidence' against Gavin - or refer the case to the police so there can be a detective-led criminal inquiry and not a potential political witch hunt.

It's the best way we have of getting to the truth - and if Gavin is proved to have been behind it and convicted, then I will be first to say he should feel the full force of the law.

His previous bellicose behaviour, stark warnings over threats from nation states, and public rows with the Prime Minister, Sir Mark, the Chancellor and others made him the prime and perfect suspect in many people's eyes.

Like the Murder on the Orient Express, it all fell into place rather conveniently for his enemies ready to stab him. And there are many.

While the PM wants to draw a line under this matter - her problems are only just beginning.

It is clear he won't go quietly.

Having repeatedly come to her aid - often saving Mrs May from herself - she now has a scorned and deadly enemy on the backbenchers.

Gavin has the strongest relationship of any MP with the DUP who are propping up the Tory Government. There are many domestic issues they are deeply unhappy about - let alone the Brexit farce.

So Mrs May best tread carefully.

Early on in his tenure as Defence Secretary, I learned the political lobby reporters had nicknamed him Icarus because of his tendency to throw caution to the wind and fly close to the flames of the metaphorical sun.

He has come crashing down.

Now don't be surprised if he brings the rest of the show with him.