Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is dealing with a 3rd formal bullying criticism – this time regarding his position as Brexit secretary.
It means he’s now being formally investigated over three complaints in three totally different authorities departments – piling strain on Rishi Sunak who has resisted calls to sack him.
Mr Raab was already dealing with formal complaints regarding earlier roles because the justice secretary and overseas secretary.
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It follows a string of bullying allegations which have emerged for the reason that senior Tory was drafted again into Mr Sunak’s cupboard as deputy PM and Secretary of State for Justice – roles he held beneath Boris Johnson earlier than being sacked by Liz Truss.
Mr Raab denies all allegations of bullying made towards him, however final week requested the PM to launch an inquiry into his personal conduct.
The scope of this investigation has now been expanded to cowl a 3rd criticism regarding Mr Raab’s time as Brexit secretary from July to November 2018, when Theresa May was prime minister, Downing Street stated on Friday.
“I can confirm that the prime minister has now asked the investigator to add a further formal complaint relating to conduct at the Department for Exiting the European Union and to establish the facts in line with the existing terms of reference,” the PM’s spokeswoman stated.
The criticism was obtained on 23 November, she added, confirming that Mr Sunak retains confidence in Mr Raab.
Responding to the newest allegations, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP stated: “Another day, another bullying complaint against Dominic Raab. It seems that at almost every department he’s served in, Raab has treated his staff with contempt.
“This flood of allegations about Dominic Raab’s bullying behaviour can’t be swept beneath the carpet. Rishi Sunak should affirm he’ll sack Raab if these complaints are upheld.”
Raab ‘behaved professionally always’
Last evening, Mr Raab insisted he has “behaved professionally at all times” as he confronted recent allegations of bullying and intimidating behaviour.
Yesterday a variety of the deputy PM’s former personal secretaries advised the BBC they have been getting ready to submit formal complaints about his behaviour.
Newsnight was additionally advised that Mr Raab used his private electronic mail account for presidency enterprise at two separate departments – as soon as as lately as 2021.
But Mr Raab stated: “I have always adhered to the ministerial code, including the use of my iPhone.”
The authorities has appointed senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC to “establish the specific facts” concerning the formal complaints.
The lawyer will report back to the prime minister, who will make the ultimate judgement on whether or not his conduct breached the ministerial code.
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Downing Street has rejected strategies the investigation could be a whitewash, regardless of Mr Sunak’s capacity to reject its findings.
“It’s a long-standing convention that the prime minister of the day is the arbiter of the (ministerial) code and the final decision-maker on these sorts of issues,” the prime minister’s official spokesman stated yesterday.
“The investigator looking into this is highly experienced and has a suitable background, and is being given access to whatever they need to conduct a thorough and swift investigation.”
Mr Raab is a detailed ally of Mr Sunak.
Deputy Labour chief Angela Rayner has known as for the scope of the investigation to be expanded to incorporate expressions of concern and casual complaints.
“There must be no hint of a whitewash when it comes to the slew of serious allegations the deputy prime minister now faces,” she stated.
Source: information.sky.com”