Dominic Raab: Bullying report into deputy prime minister handed to Number 10

An extended-awaited report into bullying allegations in opposition to Dominic Raab has been handed to Number 10 – with the prime minister “carefully considering” its findings.

Mr Raab, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, has been topic to an unbiased investigation by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC since November final 12 months.

Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson mentioned he had acquired the findings “this morning”.

He mentioned the prime minister’s earlier expression of getting “full confidence” in Mr Raab “still stands”.

But “obviously he’s carefully considering the findings of the report before coming to a judgment”, the spokesperson added.

Downing Street wouldn’t point out when the report can be revealed however insisted a decision can be sought “as swiftly as possible”.

Mr Tolley was tasked with figuring out 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.

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

He instructed Sky News in February he would resign if the inquiry discovered he had bullied employees.

Mr Sunak now holds the playing cards to Mr Raab’s future because the ministerial code states the prime minister is the last word choose of the requirements anticipated of a minister.

The prime minister may decide what the suitable penalties are within the occasion of a breach of ministerial requirements.

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

Mr Sunak has insisted because the inquiry started he would wait till it’s concluded earlier than he decides, regardless of dealing with calls to droop Mr Raab whereas the investigation occurred.

Mr Tolley is known to have spoken to dozens of witnesses, together with prime 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 had 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 personal secretary to Dominic Raab mentioned his ex-boss was at all times “courteous and professional” along with his employees.

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.”

Mr Raab remained at work because the findings had been handed over to Downing Street, responding to Crown Prosecution Service statistics on rape circumstances.

He issued a tweet and assertion on the difficulty in his function as justice secretary.

The cupboard minister funded his personal authorized group to defend in opposition to the allegations, it emerged on Wednesday.

The declaration within the closely delayed register of ministerial pursuits got here regardless of taxpayers footing an estimated £222,000 invoice for former prime minister Boris Johnson’s authorized charges within the partygate inquiry into whether or not he lied to MPs.

In the register, Mr Raab’s entry notes learn: “The minister has engaged lawyers at his own expense in relation to the investigation being conducted by Adam Tolley KC.”