Dominic Raab has said he has very high standards for his staff as he dismissed bullying claims.
The Deputy PM argued that he has a “positive relationship” with most of the people he works with.
Mr Raab refused to discuss the specific allegations against him, but said: "Of course you want to have a positive relationship.
“With the vast majority of people that I do, that is the case.”
Asked if he sets very high standards for the people he works with, Mr Raab replied: “Absolutely.”
The Justice Secretary added: “If you're in any walk of life - the media, in sport, the CEO of a big business, let alone in government - you want to set high standards, because that's what you deliver.
“Look, if you think about the stuff we're talking about, delivering for the victims of these appalling crimes.
“I think it's right just to remember that we all serve the British public and in my case, dealing with the Ministry of Justice.
“I'm serving victims and the bereaved of some of the most appalling crimes. Of course, I'm going to do everything I can to drive the reforms.”
Independent lawyer Adam Tolley KC is looking into a number of formal complaints made by as many as two dozen civil servants against Mr Raab.
Complainants have said they lost weight, suffered breakdowns or even felt suicidal as they themselves felt there was no escape, the Mirror revealed in January.
Mr Raab yesterday said it would be "improper" to discuss an investigation into his conduct related to bullying allegations.
He added: "I've said I would co-operate fully with the inquiry. I'm not going to comment on anonymous sources in the media.
"In fact it is a breach of the rules of the inquiry for anyone to do so and of course I want to respect that."
This newspaper also revealed Mr Raab has been nicknamed “The Incinerator” because he “burns through” staff so quickly, it can be revealed.
Officials working for the Deputy Prime Minister have accused him of creating a “climate of fear” in the Ministry of Justice.
Mr Raab was ousted from the department when Liz Truss became PM, but he returned just seven weeks later when Rishi Sunak entered No10 last month.
Government sources said concerns have been raised about the turnover of staff in roles working closely with the minister.
“He is known as The Incinerator as he burns through officials,’ one told the Mirror. “The mood is grim in his office.
“People are desperate to escape the climate of fear as quickly as they can.”
Around half of the staff working in Mr Raab’s private office are understood to have requested to move when it was announced he was returning. Civil servants became “emotional” on hearing he was coming back.
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