He was sacked as defence secretary for allegedly disclosing plans to allow Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to help build the UK's 5G network.

Opposition MPs said there should be an investigation into whether the Official Secrets Act had been breached.

David Lidington, the PM's de facto deputy, said the matter was closed.

Responding to questions from MPs in the Commons, he said it was not considered necessary to refer it to the police, but ministers would "co-operate fully should the police themselves consider an investigation necessary".

Mr Lidington told MPs that Mr Williamson had not been accused of any criminal offence, but had lost the confidence of the prime minister.

Mr Williamson is quoted in several of Thursday's newspapers as saying he was the victim of a "vendetta" and a "kangaroo court".

He told Sky News that he "swore on his children's lives" that he was not responsible for the leak.

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