Dominic Raab insisted he has always ‘behaved professionally’
(Picture: PA Wire)A former senior civil servant has described Dominic Raab’s “pretty sinister” behaviour towards government staff as “bullying”.
They told BBC Newsnight Raab would use “demeaning tactics” towards civil servants working for him.
Mr Raab is currently being investigated over claims of bullying but has denied the allegations.
The FDA trade union, which represents civil servants, said it understands dozens of people are involved in eight formal complaints spanning several years and a number of government departments.
The former civil servant - who has not made a formal complaint - is reported to have told the BBC “I saw him seething at other senior people, hard staring at you, you know like cold fury.
“It was pretty sinister - and raising his voice. He would make examples of very senior members of staff in front of more junior members and vice versa.”
Asked if it was bullying or just being assertive, they said it was “unacceptable behaviour”.
They added: “No, it’s bullying. I mean, the worst thing is the sort of the cold anger and making people wait in silence.
“Expecting people to turn up very, very quickly without knowing really why they’re there. Treating his private office with contempt and doing so publicly.”
Supporters of the deputy prime minister call these allegations “nonsense”.
Last November, Conservative MP Helen Grant, who worked with Mr Raab when he was foreign secretary said: “I witnessed a very decent, hard working minister with high professional standards and a solid work ethic. Dominic has zero tolerance for bullying.”
Earlier this month another Conservative MP, James Daly, told the Sunday Telegraph: “During the time I have worked with Dominic Raab, he has always been kind, courteous and utterly professional.”
The Ministry of Justice said: “There is zero tolerance for bullying across the civil service.
“The deputy prime minister leads a professional department, driving forward major reforms, where civil servants are valued and the level of ambition is high.
“There is an independent investigation under way and it would be inappropriate to comment further on issues relating to it until it is completed.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, before the latest claims, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would not pre-judge the findings of the investigation into Mr Raab’s conduct.
But he added: “As people have seen from how I’ve acted in the past when I am presented with conclusive independent findings that someone in my government has not acted with the integrity or standards I would expect, I won’t hesitate to take swift and decisive action.”
