Dominic Raab’s ‘bullying’ investigator must be given new powers, Labour demanded tonight after a fresh complaint about the top Tory’s conduct.
Rishi Sunak expanded a probe into the Deputy Prime Minister to cover his behaviour at a third government department.
Lawyer Adam Tolley KC is now looking at incidents during Mr Raab’s stints as Justice Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Brexit Secretary - which date back to 2018.
But the expert, who was appointed by Mr Sunak, can only extend his investigation to more complaints if the Prime Minister lets him, one case at a time.
That is despite a string of former colleagues preparing to lodge more formal complaints about Mr Raab, the Mirror understands.
Labour said Mr Tolley should be given the power to “proactively” investigate Mr Raab’s behaviour - without the permission of the Prime Minister.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner said he should also look at “expressions of concern and informal complaints” that were not formally lodged with the Cabinet Office.
She said: “The PM’s desperate efforts to artificially restrict the scope of this so-called independent investigation are already crumbling beneath him.
"The drip-drip-drip of serious complaints emerging about his Deputy shows he can no longer stem the tide.
"The scope of this investigation must immediately be expanded… Rishi Sunak's attempted stitch-up will fool no one.”
Mr Tolley added a new set of allegations to his probe into the Deputy PM’s alleged bullying after a complaint was made to the Cabinet Office on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister examined the complaint and asked Mr Tolley to extend his investigation on Thursday night.
Yet No10 today said the PM still had full confidence in his deputy - and Mr Sunak could overturn any finding of bullying if he wants.
Lib Dem Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said: "This flood of allegations about Dominic Raab's bullying behaviour cannot be swept under the carpet.
“Rishi Sunak must confirm he will sack Raab if these complaints are upheld."
A source with knowledge of some of the complaints warned: “These people are scarred psychologically from having to deal with him and they are terrified to make a complaint.”
Campaign group Best For Britain today launched a mock “recruitment drive” for a new permanent ministerial ethics advisor - a job that has been empty since summer.
It highlighted allegations against Gavin Williamson, Suella Braverman, and Mr Sunak himself.
Dominic Raab defended himself against allegations of bullying - and separate revelations he used his personal email for government business.
Mr Raab told the BBC on Thursday: "I've behaved professionally at all times… I look forward to dealing with it fully and transparently rather than dealing with anonymous comments in the media.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “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.”
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