Dominic Raab has today quit as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary following an investigation into bullying complaints.
The MP for Esher and Walton remained loyal to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson as his premiership unravelled last summer and a slew of ministers resigned.
Once Mr Johnson was out of the door, Mr Raab began backing Rishi Sunak, only for Liz Truss to emerge victorious and consign him to the backbenches.
The chaotic collapse of her administration saw him swiftly return to his familiar roles of Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister when Mr Sunak became PM.
But after official complaints about his behaviour were made, the Prime Minister appointed senior lawyer Adam Tolley to look into the claims - an investigation which has now sealed Mr Raab's fate.
The Mirror previously revealed that Mr Raab was nicknamed "The Incinerator" because he "burns through" staff so quickly.
Officials working for him accused Mr Raab of creating a "climate of fear" in the Ministry of Justice.
A source told us: "He is known as The Incinerator as he burns through officials. The mood is grim in his office.
"People are desperate to escape the climate of fear as quickly as they can."
In his resignation statement addressed to the Prime Minister and posted on social media, Mr Raab said the inquiry into claims made against him "set a dangerous precedent" for the Government and the British people as it made "the threshold for bullying so low".
He took a swipe at the findings, describing them as "flawed" and pointing out "improprieties" including the "systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media".
Mr Raab said that, despite stepping down, he will continue to support Mr Sunak and the Government from the backbenches "in very challenging times".
Read Dominic Raab's full statement below.
Dear Prime Minister,
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 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. This was particularly true during my time as Foreign Secretary, in the context of the Brexit negotiations over Gibraltar, when a senior diplomat breached the mandate agreed by Cabinet.
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. I am 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. That is, however, what the public expect of ministers working on their behalf.
In 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.
Finally, I raised with you a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry. They include the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the Civil Service Code of Conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated private secretaries from my Ministry of Justice private office, in October of last year. I hope these will be independently reviewed.
I remain as supportive of you and this government, as when I first introduced you at your campaign leadership launch last July. You have proved a great Prime Minister in very challenging times, and you can count on my support from the backbenches.
Yours sincerely,
Dominic Raab
