Gavin Williamson “swearing on his DCs’ life”

[Loopytiles]

Sacked defence secretary says he didn’t leak from the National Security council, and reportedly “swore on his DCs’ life”.

I’m generally cynical and am no fan of Mr Williamson, but if he said this tend to believe him. It’s a rarely used phrase and not one I imagine parents would use if lying.

Am I being naive? Suppose that unless you’re superstitious, nothing bad will happen to your DC if you say it about a lie.

I think there should be a criminal investigation.

I also think I believe him when he says this, but I am unsure if I'm putting my own moral values against him.

It’s an awful phrase to use either way.

I would imagine he has used it to cast a seed of doubt in people.

I find that people who swear on DC/their own lives tend to be liars.

Well, I wouldn't but how do you know what someone fighting for their political life might say?

He sounds childish saying it.

Maybe the leak was in his department hence the loss of confidence?

It doesnt actually mean anything though, does it? Unless you're really superstitious you wouldn't believe that saying it would actually endanger your child's life. People will say anything to get out of trouble.

Always hated that phrase. My mil uses it all the time. DP used it once and he got an absolute mouthful from me and never has again.

I'm also aware that if it's true, then his life is ruined, he will never find decent employment again, and desperate people do desperate things.

I'm sure the security services will have done their jobs thoroughly and he would not have been fired if they didn't have proof.

Really Fission?

I’ve never heard anyone say it in RL.

I've heard that phrase a lot.

Usually on Jeremy Kyle when someone fails the lie detector.

I automatically don't trust people who swear on someone's life

To me, anyone who says this sounds very juvenile and it would make me doubt them more.

Yeah I usually think that's a huge sign it's a lie.

He's completely unscrupulous and saying this to cast doubt.

He'll be back.in the Cabinet one day - there's no such thing as disgrace in politics any more.

I hope there's a police investigation and prosecution.

I’m with you OP

I agree, to me it is usually a sign of guilt to swear on someone’s life. It is meaningless but sounds serious, used (imho) only by those who are desperate to be believed. Usually because they know the consequences of the truth (that they did the ring they’re accused of) so will throw anything at it.

Im afraid I dont share your confidence Bluntness. Id have more faith in a police enquiry than a parlimentary one. Bit of a kangaroo court.

Argh, the thing, not the ring!

This is such a huge thing for Teresa May to do, to publicly state he is guilty and she is firing him for it. I one hundred percent believe she would not have done that unless she has irrefutable evidence. She will know the repercussions if it's wrong. And the lawyers and security advisors will have done their jobs.

As said though the ramifications for him are huge. And for the rest of his career. He will be lucky to find a job sweeping the streets.

So I can see why he'd deny it like this.

Agriculture Minister John Gummer, anyone?

It was not a parliamentary enquiry.

The telegraph must know. Maybe they would say something if it actually wasn't him.

Agree with others - for me, when people say this I now take it for granted that they’re lying.

Also ridiculous to bring his children into a situation like this. Completely unprofessional and childish.

Sorry must have got the term wrong. It wasn't the sort of enquiry carried out by professional investigators where the accused gets a defence though was it?

My mum recently swore on my life that she hadn't been drinking. She could hardly string a sentence together. So in my opinion swearing on your child's life doesn't always mean anything. It just means you don't want to get caught and will say anything.