UK deputy PM awaits Sunak's verdict over bullying inquiry

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Apr 2023 15:53
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Rishi Sunak grappled with the fate of his deputy Dominic Raab on Thursday, after a probe into alleged bullying by the Conservative politician was completed.

British Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab in London November 8, 2022. (Reuters)

UK PM Rishi Sunak grappled with the fate of his deputy Dominic Raab on Thursday, after a probe into alleged bullying by the Conservative politician was completed.

Raab, who is both the justice secretary and the deputy prime minister, has been accused of victimizing public personnel in three distinct government agencies.

On November 14, 2022, the Daily Mirror reported Raab was so rude to his employees during his term as foreign minister that people were "scared to go into his office," according to Simon McDonald, a former Foreign Office senior civil servant.

On November 11, 2022, The Guardian reported that 15 employees of the Ministry of Justice were reportedly offered "respite or a route out" after Raab's reappointment over concerns that his behavior may cause them to suffer from trauma.

Sunak has been hounded by the scandal since he took over instead of Liz Truss in October, promising to restore "integrity, professionalism, and accountability" in government. The Prime Minister recruited senior employment lawyer Adam Tolley in November to investigate two formal complaints lodged against Raab.

More accusations have subsequently emerged from government officials who worked with the minister, and Tolley delivered his report to Sunak on Thursday morning, according to the prime minister's spokesperson.

The spokesperson did not say when it would be published but said the PM was "carefully considering the findings of the report."

Raab is generally anticipated to be fired if Tolley upholds the charges, with Sunak and the Conservatives already facing big losses in municipal elections on May 4.

After a separate investigation into Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi's tax troubles, the prime minister removed the rich head of the party in late January.

Sunak, nodding to Zahawi's rapid removal, stated, "I won't hesitate to take swift and decisive action" if Raab found conclusive evidence of misconduct.

However, opposition parties will raise new concerns about Sunak's political judgment in keeping Raab and re-appointing the controversial interior minister Suella Braverman in October, before the elections.