25 January 2023 , 22:13
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At least 24 civil servants are involved in the bullying complaints against Dominic Raab, it was claimed last night.
The Deputy Prime Minister is being investigated over eight complaints about his conduct.
But the Guardian has reported the claims actually involve a total of at least two dozen - or possibly as many as 30 - people.
Labour called for Rishi Sunak to “come clean” on what he knew about the allegations when he appointed Mr Raab to his Cabinet.
It is a huge blow to the Prime Minister who is already facing pressure to sack Tory Chairman Nadhim Zahawi (Alastair Grant/AP/REX/Shutterstock)The Prime Minister has asked lawyer Adam Tolley KC with looking into incidents during Mr Raab’s stints as Justice Secretary, foreign secretary and Brexit secretary.
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It is reported that civil servants have claimed that Mr Raab “belittled and demeaned” them and was “very rude and aggressive” on multiple occasions each day.
Other alleged incidents include people being physically sick before meetings, regularly being in tears and being left feeling suicidal due to his behaviour.
When Mr Sunak became PM three months ago, he promised a government of "integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level", but repeated sleaze scandals have called this into question.
The Mirror revealed in November Mr Raab has been nicknamed “The Incinerator” because he “burns through” staff so quickly.
Officials working for him 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 Mr Sunak entered No10 last month.
Government sources said concerns had been raised about the turnover of staff in roles working closely with the minister.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner last night said: “These shocking claims of widespread bullying and intimidation raise yet more questions about the Prime Minister’s judgement.
"He promised a government of integrity and claimed zero tolerance for bullying, yet he not only appointed Dominic Raab as his Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary but continues to prop him up.
"The Cabinet he appointed is awash with sleaze and scandal, but the Prime Minister is too weak to do anything about it. There must be no whitewash, and the Prime Minister himself must come clean on what he knew when he reappointed Dominic Raab.”
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An MoJ spokesman 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.”
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