Gavin Williamson claims a police investigation into claims he leaked would clear his name

Disgraced former defence secretary Gavin Williamson has challenged Theresa May to trigger a police investigation into claims he leaked information from a top secret government committee.

Williamson, who was dramatically axed from the cabinet on Wednesday, believes May would have to give him the “nicest apology” after a Met inquiry as it would clear him of the charge of leaking.

May dismissed Williamson after a Cabinet Office investigation produced “compelling evidence” he was responsible for revealing that Chinese company Huawei was being considered to develop the UK’s 5G mobile network.

Opposition MPs have called for the police to investigate whether the leak, which came after a meeting of the National Security Council, breached the Official Secrets Act.

Downing Street has said it has no plans to hand over any information to the police, with May considering the matter “closed”.

However, Williamson himself is backing an investigation, telling Sky News: “As soon as they have the reporter's notepad it would show that I didn't say anything and then I would get the nicest apology from the PM, far nicer than the last letter she sent me."

Williamson revealed that after May confronted him with the evidence in her House of Commons office on Wednesday evening, she left him alone for a few minutes to consider his response.

The Prime Minister was “visibly shocked” when Williamson refused to resign, meaning she had to sack him instead.

Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick has said a criminal investigation will only be carried out if Downing Street were to refer the matter to her officers.

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday morning, David Lidington, the de facto deputy prime minister, said: “The decision that the Cabinet Secretary came to was that this matter did not need to be referred to the police.”

He added: “There is a difference between the tests for criminal offences that are set out in great detail in the various sections of the Official Secrets Act, and falling below the standards of confidentiality and other conduct required of Government Ministers under the ministerial code.”