Dominic Raab has insisted he has “behaved professionally at all times” regardless of going through rising allegations of bullying and intimidating behaviour.
Yesterday, numerous the deputy PM’s former personal secretaries informed the BBC they have been getting ready to submit formal complaints about his behaviour.
Newsnight was additionally informed that Mr Raab used his private e mail account for presidency enterprise at two separate departments – as soon as as lately as 2021.
But Mr Raab mentioned: “I have always adhered to the ministerial code, including the use of my iPhone.”
He added that he has “always been careful to protect the integrity of any communications” he has.
Politics newest: PM dedicated to lowering immigration
Asked whether or not he has been knowledgeable that extra senior officers who labored most intently with him each day have submitted complaints, Mr Raab mentioned: “I’ve behaved professionally always.
“And I am the one that when the complaint came in a matter of days ago, the first that had ever come against me since I have been a minister since 2015, [I] called for an independent inquiry and I look forward to dealing with it fully and transparently rather than dealing with anonymous comments in the media.
“I’ve all the time adhered to the ministerial code, together with my use of my iPhone.”
Asked how this doesn’t represent breaching the ministerial code, the deputy PM replied: “It is very clear, I took advice on it. I am confident in that.”
Probed on studies that senior civil servants informed him to not use his private telephone for presidency enterprise, Mr Raab dismissed the claims as “anonymous speculation”.
He added that he has “always taken advice” on find out how to conduct communications and, when requested why he used his private telephone for some issues, replied that it was “entirely legitimate and in line with the guidance that we have”.
“I haven’t broken the ministerial code, I am confident, in any of the ways you are asserting,” Mr Raab mentioned.
Earlier right now, Downing Street mentioned that Rishi Sunak nonetheless has full confidence in his deputy regardless of the recent allegations.
If lodged, the allegations by the previous personal secretaries could possibly be included within the investigation into Mr Raab being carried out in to 2 formal complaints of bullying by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC.
Labour’s deputy chief Angela Rayner has known as for Mr Tolley’s investigation to “immediately be expanded”.
Mr Raab denies all allegations of bullying made towards him, however final week requested the PM to launch an inquiry into his personal conduct.
If the deputy PM is discovered to have damaged the ministerial code, then it might pressure him to resign.
Explainer: What has led to the deputy PM being investigated?
Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain has demanded an investigation into Mr Raab’s use of his private e mail account for presidency enterprise.
“It is only right and proper the cabinet office investigate these reports and determine immediately if overseas enemies could have seen national secrets sent by Dominic Raab,” she mentioned.
But Downing Street backed Mr Raab and rejected ideas the investigation can be a whitewash, regardless of Mr Sunak’s capability to reject its findings.
The spokesperson additionally defended Mr Raab over his e mail use, telling reporters: “Ministers are able to use various forms of communication. As long as they take heed of that guidance, there is not a binary restriction on use of personal email addresses.”
Source: information.sky.com”