Oliver Dowden turns into new deputy PM and Alex Chalk new justice secretary after Raab resignation over bullying report

Oliver Dowden has been named the brand new deputy prime minister and Alex Chalk will take over as justice secretary following the resignation of Dominic Raab, who was discovered to have bullied employees throughout his time in authorities.

Mr Raab stepped down from the roles on Friday morning after a report into his conduct discovered he had acted in an “intimidating way” and was “unreasonably and persistently aggressive” in conferences.

But he has attacked the findings as “flawed”, and claimed they “set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government”.

Politics dwell: Details of Raab’s bullying

Mr Dowden had been serving in Rishi Sunak’s authorities because the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Cabinet Office secretary earlier than the brand new appointment, and can proceed within the roles alongside his new tasks.

Tweeting after the announcement, he stated: “Deeply honoured to have been asked to serve as deputy prime minister. I look forward to working even more closely with the prime minister as we tackle the issues that matter most to the people of this country.”

Meanwhile, Mr Chalk – who turns into the tenth justice secretary in 10 years – leaves his extra junior function on the Ministry of Defence to tackle the division.

In a raft of latest bulletins, the federal government confirmed James Cartlidge would transfer into Mr Chalk’s MoD function – seeing his job as Exchequer secretary handed on to Gareth Davies as his first authorities appointment.

Number 10 additionally confirmed Chloe Smith – who served as work and pensions secretary in Liz Truss’s short-lived administration – will step in as science, innovation and know-how secretary when the present incumbent, Michelle Donelan, takes maternity depart later this 12 months.

Culture and Science Minister Julia Lopez can be attributable to go on maternity depart quickly and can be lined by Sir John Whittingdale in each roles.

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Raab resigns after being discovered of bullying
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Key findings from the report

Mr Dowden is seen as a detailed ally of Mr Sunak, having supported him in his management marketing campaign, and has been central in his cupboard since his buddy took the keys to Number 10 final 12 months.

He had served as tradition secretary after which occasion chairman below Boris Johnson, however resigned from Cabinet after a double by-election defeat for the Conservatives final June, turning into the primary minister to fall on his sword amid rising stress on the then-PM over the partygate scandal.

Mr Dowden was educated at a selective state college in Hertfordshire earlier than heading to Cambridge, the place he studied legislation.

But he went on to work for the Tory Party as a researcher and later grew to become a particular adviser and deputy chief of employees to David Cameron.

He grew to become an MP in 2015 and represents Hertsmere in his residence nation, with a stable majority of over 21,000.

Mr Chalk can be a Sunak ally and was introduced into authorities again in October as a defence minister.

However, he beforehand served because the solicitor normal and a prisons minister below Mr Johnson, becoming a member of the throngs of ministers to give up over their boss’ conduct final summer time.

Like Mr Sunak, he attended Winchester College and Oxford, however went into the authorized occupation and have become a barrister.

A former Tory councillor in London, Mr Chalk entered parliament in 2015 when he received his Cheltenham seat again from the Liberal Democrats – however his majority within the space is a slim 981.

His Labour counterpart, shadow justice secretary Steve Reed, tweeted after his appointment: “Congratulations to Alex Chalk on his appointment as the 11th Conservative justice secretary in 13 chaotic years that have destroyed the justice system. Real change can only come with a Labour government.”