Rishi Sunak is weighing up whether to sack Dominic Raab after finally receiving a long-awaited report into multiple allegations of bullying.
No10 has confirmed that the findings of top barrister Adam Tolley KC were received this morning - but was tight-lipped about what he said.
The PM's official spokesman would not be drawn on when the report would be published - but an announcement on whether Mr Raab will keep his job is widely expected today.
The final decision rests with Mr Sunak, who promised a Government of "integrity, professionalism and accountability" when he took office in October.
"The Prime Minister is considering the report and will come to a judgement," his official spokesman said.
The probe into deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Mr Raab's behaviour was opened back in November following allegations from dozens of officials.
The Mirror reported that staff involved in the complaints said they lost weight, suffered breakdowns or even felt suicidal as they thought there was no escape.
Mr Raab maintained he had done nothing wrong, but in February said he would step down from the Cabinet if any bullying allegations were upheld.
The Downing Street official said: "Obviously, we've always wanted this to be done as swiftly as possible.
"I think the public would understand that it's right to carefully consider this."
In total there were eight formal complaints involving at least 24 civil servants against Mr Raab, who also served as Foreign Secretary under Boris Johnson.
The Mirror has previously reported Mr Raab has been nicknamed “The Incinerator” because he “burns through” staff so quickly.
It was alleged that in one instance he had hurled tomatoes across a table in a rage.
Mr Sunak, who reappointed him to the Cabinet after he was sacked by Liz Truss, resisted calls to suspend his deputy while the probe was carried out.
Mr Raab told Sophy Ridge on Sunday earlier this year: "Look, if an allegation of bullying is upheld, I will resign."
Asked whether he is a bully, he replied: "No."
An insider told The Guardian that if Mr Raab remained in post, many senior civil servants were likely to quit.
They said: “If he stays in the department, senior people will want to walk.”
But one cabinet member - who was not named - told TalkTV: 'We can't just throw our own people to the dogs because the civil service say so."
Former Tory chairman Jake Berry has repeatedly called for Mr Raab to be suspended while the investigation is carried out. He told ITV's Robert Peston: 'It does seem to me quite wrong that when people are under these kinds of investigations of this type that they continue in their job."
