Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has resigned from the government after an independent report found he had bullied officials
The report, by Adam Tolley KC, found that Raab had acted in an ‘intimidating’ manner towards civil servants in two instances, and said he had been warned about his behaviour by Antonia Romeo, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice.
In his resignation letter Raab argued that the findings of the report, which said he had acted in a way that was “intimidating” and “persistently aggressive” while he was foreign minister, were flawed.
But he went through with his promise to quit if any bullying allegations were upheld.
“I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever,” Raab said. “I believe it is important to keep my word.”
Later he told BBC News that “activist civil servants” wanted to block the work of government with “passive-aggressive” tactics.
In reply FDA union’s Dave Penman said;
“Dominic Raab’s accusations about ‘activist civil servants’ trying to block government is just the latest conspiracy he’s concocted to deflect from an independent investigation’s criticism of his conduct.”
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he accepted Raab’s resignation with great sadness and acknowledged his concerns about how initial allegations about his behaviour had been handled.
Writing in the Daily Telegragh Raab said that “the Kafkaesque saga I endured was shorn of the safeguards most people enjoy.” adding that
“I was subject to trial by media for six months, fuelled by warped and fabricated accounts leaked by anonymous officials breaching the rules of the inquiry, the Civil Service Code of Conduct, or both.”
Greater Manchester MP and Shadow Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
“Rishi Sunak was personally warned about Dominic Raab’s conduct but showed appalling judgment in choosing to appoint him. Rather than showing leadership, the PM has proven himself too weak to give his Deputy his marching orders. He’s failing to deliver the integrity he promised.”
