Dominic Raab’s destiny in Rishi Sunak’s palms after long-awaited bullying claims report concludes

Dominic Raab’s destiny is within the palms of Rishi Sunak after a long-awaited investigation into bullying claims by his deputy concluded.

A report on the findings, which is known to be “very lengthy”, was handed to Number 10 on Thursday morning, with the prime minister mentioned to be “carefully considering” its conclusions.

Senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC has been wanting into a number of allegations of bullying by the deputy prime minister, justice secretary and constant ally of the PM since November final yr.

Under ministerial guidelines, Mr Sunak, as prime minister, has to resolve whether or not the conclusions of the report means Mr Raab did bully workers and if he did then what the results might be.

But on Thursday afternoon, Sky News was instructed “no further action” would happen that day relating to Mr Raab’s future.

Mr Raab instructed Sky News in February he would resign if the inquiry discovered he had bullied workers.

His future now hangs within the steadiness, with the report not made public but and Downing Street insisting a decision might be sought “as swiftly as possible”.

Throughout the investigation, Mr Raab has insisted he “behaved professionally at all times” and identified he initiated the inquiry into himself when the accusations have been made.

Allies of Mr Raab mentioned “he’ll fight to the death”, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Sky News additionally understands Mr Raab and Mr Sunak didn’t converse on Thursday – and Mr Raab has seen the report and maintains he has behaved professionally always.

Read extra:
What are the allegations in opposition to Dominic Raab?

The investigation was wanting into whether or not Mr Raab had bullied civil servants throughout his time as each international secretary from 2019 to 2021, after which justice secretary from 2021 to 2022 below Boris Johnson’s premiership.

Labour and the Lib Dems accused Mr Sunak of “dither and delay” over what they understand as his inaction.

Shadow cupboard member Emily Thornberry mentioned: “I just think whilst he dithers and delays and summons up the courage to sack his deputy, the rest of the country is dealing with the cost of living crisis, which is worse than it has been in a generation.

“Wages aren’t maintaining with costs, folks cannot afford meals and heating and their housing and the Conservative Party is in chaos once more, not coping with the priorities of the individuals who elected them.

“I think, quite frankly, the prime minister should read the report. If the man’s a bully he should go.

“We simply want to maneuver on with this and transfer again to what’s essential for the general public.”

She added every time “one among these Conservatives get into bother they do not simply undermine the status of Conservatives, they undermine the status of all members of parliament”.

What punishment may Mr Raab obtain?

Changes to the ministerial code imply Mr Sunak can impose sanctions on his deputy that don’t contain him being sacked, if he’s discovered to have bullied workers.

This may embody Mr Raab having to make a public apology, “remedial action” corresponding to attending an anger administration course or the removing of his ministerial wage for a time frame.

Mr Tolley is known to have spoken to dozens of witnesses, together with high civil servants and Mr Johnson, following claims Mr Raab created a “culture of fear” on the Ministry of Justice, and allegations that he was “very rude and aggressive”.

Colleagues have been allegedly “scared” to enter his workplace when he was international secretary, former everlasting secretary Lord McDonald has mentioned.

However, a Tory MP who previously labored as a parliamentary non-public secretary to Mr Raab mentioned his ex-boss was all the time “courteous and professional” along with his workers.

Speaking after the report was handed to Downing Street, Gareth Johnson instructed Sky News he can “only go by what I witnessed”, however added: “Not once did I ever witness him behaving in a manner that could be described as bullying.”