TORY Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has quit Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet following the conclusion of an inquiry into bullying allegations.
Sunak received the report from senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC’s investigation on Thursday and had been considering the findings since.
The full inquiry has not yet been published by Downing Street, but Raab in his resignation warned that the probe’s findings would have damaging consequences for the UK Government.
Raab's letter also appeared to suggest he felt he had done nothing wrong, claiming the threshold for bullying was set "so low" it would set a "dangerous precedent".
In a resignation letter to the Prime Minister, Raab said: “I am writing to resign from your government, following receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC.
“I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word.
“It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked.
“Whilst I feel dutybound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me.
“I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government.”
The Tory MP for Esher and Walton said he was “genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice”.
But he added: “That is, however, what the public expect of ministers working on their behalf.”
He wrote: “Whilst I feel duty-bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government.
“First, ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility will be lost.
“Second, ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials, in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expect of us.
“Of course, this must be done within reasonable bounds. Mr Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four-and-a-half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone.”
Raab warned that “setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent”.
“It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your Government — and ultimately the British people."
The eight complaints against Raab were believed to centre on his behaviour as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary and during his first stint as justice secretary.
His exit as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary leaves a major gap in Sunak’s Cabinet, with speculation about who will replace the loyal Sunak backer.
Raab’s resignation comes months after the Prime Minister moved to sack Nadhim Zahawi as Conservative Party chair amid controversy over his tax affairs, while Sir Gavin Williamson – another Sunak backer – resigned only days into his premiership after it was alleged he sent expletive-laden messages to a former chief whip.
It is not the first time Raab has lost a senior government position.
In September 2021, he was demoted to Justice Secretary from the Foreign Office during a Boris Johnson reshuffle.
Raab faced heavy criticism for his handling of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and his decision to go on holiday to Crete during the crisis.
It later emerged the UK had been "repeatedly warned" that Kabul would fall.
