Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab is facing a pivotal moment in his political career as a report investigating claims of bullying against him is expected to be published today. The independent investigation, triggered by complaints from staff across multiple Whitehall departments, has reportedly reached the desk of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The allegations involve at least 24 individuals and span Mr. Raab's time as justice secretary and foreign secretary under Boris Johnson, as well as his tenure as Brexit secretary under Theresa May. While No10 denies that the report has arrived on the PM's desk this morning, allies of Mr. Raab insist he is prepared to fight the accusations publicly once it is released.
With eight formal complaints lodged against him regarding his behavior during various ministerial roles, Mr. Raab faces mounting pressure from both Cabinet ministers advocating for solidarity behind their deputy leader and senior Ministry of Justice officials threatening resignation if he continues serving in government.
Barrister Adam Tolley KC conducted the independent probe into Mr. Raab’s conduct, resulting in what some sources describe as a “devastating” report for the embattled Deputy PM's future prospects within government ranks.
Amidst these circumstances, Rishi Sunak must now decide whether to dismiss or request resignation from one of Tory cabinet’s most prominent members based on Tolley’s findings – all while defending expenditures on legal representation for both MrRaab (whose defense was privately funded) and himself during recent inquiries surrounding Partygate where taxpayers footed an estimated £222,000 bill.
Civil servants have described incidents involving being reduced to tears after interactions with Mr.Raab or experiencing mental health crises due to his management style. One allegation even claims that Mr.Raab threw tomatoes across a table in the Ministry of Justice during a fit of rage.
As today's deadline looms, both Dominic Raab and Rishi Sunak face critical decisions about their respective futures within government leadership – with the potential outcomes leaving lasting impacts on both reputations and policy directions for the Conservative Party as a whole.