Dominic Raab has resigned as the UK’s deputy prime minister and as justice secretary after an official report on allegations that he bullied civil servants. The report was published later on Friday. Here is the background to the case.
What is the report?
In November, Rishi Sunak appointed Adam Tolley KC, a senior employment lawyer, to examine a series of complaints against Raab by multiple civil servants. Tolley, who has experience of handling whistleblower claims, was tasked with looking into the complaints in confidence and then reporting back to the prime minister.
As well as talking to officials who made complaints, Tolley interviewed the top civil servants in the three government departments headed by Raab: Antonia Romeo, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice; Simon McDonald, a former permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office; and Philip Rycroft, a former permanent secretary at the now-disbanded Department for Exiting the European Union.
What does it say?
The report was published on Friday, after it was handed to Sunak on Thursday. On Friday morning, Raab resigned, saying he was keeping his word that he would step down if there was a finding of bullying. He indicated that the report found two instances of bullying but said the bar was set too low and disputed the findings.
In the report Tolley said Raab had “acted in a manner which was intimidating” by going further than appropriate in “delivering critical feedback”, and insulting officials by making “unconstructive critical comments” about their work.
Though it was disputed, Tolley said he believed Raab had complained about the “obstructiveness” of staff and branded their work “utterly useless” and “woeful”.
Combined with an interruptive style of cutting people off because he did not like having his time wasted, his behaviour was intimidating and abrasive, said the report.
Though Raab had since regulated his level of abrasiveness, this should have happened sooner following private discussions with the permanent secretary, said the report.
Why was it commissioned?
It follows two formal complaints against Raab, plus widespread reports that many other civil servants were unhappy with his behaviour, which was described as sometimes bullying, humiliating and too demanding.
The scope of the report was expanded as other formal complaints were made, taking in all three departments he has headed. In January, the Guardian discovered that at least 24 civil servants were involved in formal complaints against Raab.
What was the response of Raab and his allies?
Raab has throughout vehemently denied any bullying or intimidating behaviour, saying he has “behaved professionally at all times”. In February, Raab said he would quit as a minister if Tolley’s inquiry went against him: “If an allegation of bullying is upheld, I would resign.”
Allies of Raab have portrayed him as a demanding minister who expects a lot from his officials and knows exactly what he wants, but is always professional. In March, one former Foreign Office official told ITV he felt Raab was “100% a bully”, while other unnamed officials defended him, one recounting how he organised staff events at Christmas.
In his resignation letter, Raab said the finding of bullying would set a “dangerous precedent” and stop ministers from driving change. He argued his behaviour simply amounted to “pace, standards and challenge”, while apologising for any “unintended stress”.
Have Tory MPs backed Raab?
The predominant view was that people should await Tolley’s verdict. However, Jake Berry, who was party chair and minister without portfolio in Liz Truss’s cabinet, said Raab should step aside while the inquiry was being held. Berry said it would be “very bizarre” if someone in a similar position to Raab in any other workplace remained in their role. Other Conservative MPs share Raab’s view that the prime minister should not be seen as “giving in” to civil service complaints.
Are there any political repercussions for Sunak?
Yes. While commissioning Tolley both bought time and provided distance from the allegations, if the report is damning, the prime minister is likely to face pressure over why he reappointed Raab to the cabinet given the concerns about his behaviour.
Downing Street has said only that Sunak did not know about any formal complaints before forming his first cabinet in October. However, it was not clear whether he had been told about other worries.
One report last month said Boris Johnson, who was also interviewed by Tolley, previously warned Raab about his conduct.
