Dominic Raab testified before the investigation. Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Investigation into alleged bullying by Dominic Raab will not reach a verdict, official sources say.
An investigation by attorney Adam Tolley KC details the evidence but makes no recommendations, leaving Rishi Sunak to decide on the basis of the facts whether or not to defend his position. one of his most loyal supporters or to carry out a mini-cabinet reshuffle, the sources say.
Whitehall is preparing for Mr. Tolley's report on allegations of bullying by public officials this week. An investigation was initiated by Mr. Sunak in November to «find the facts» around complaints against Mr. Raab, the Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
There are said to be eight major complaints of bullying, including witnesses and alleged victims in the three departments of Whitehall who were questioned by Mr. Tolley. Sources say his report is complete and Mr. Raab has testified.
“Rishi and Dominic are very close politically. If he's going to, he'll own it and just do it. They will want to do it with minimal bloodletting. There is a possibility that he will announce something else before we know, ”said one of the sources. “If he stays, the report will be published and we will have the opportunity to review it.”
There were allegations that civil servants, including some in senior positions, claimed that Mr. Raab «belittled and humiliated» them and was «very rude and aggressive» at meetings. It is said that some of them were in tears or physically ill before the meetings.
At least two of his permanent secretaries say he spoke to him about his demanding and «assertive» approach to work, but his allies said no formal complaints were ever made against him, and as soon as he became aware of them, he called for a formal investigation. /p>
“There is no doubt that he was ever informed of any official complaint until the investigation began. The fact is that he acted professionally all this time. He sets himself and the people to the highest standards to serve the British people. He never yelled or cursed. This is his defense. This is his position,” said one of the allies.
Another colleague said: “He does not agree that everything he has done is a mockery. The fact is that he is demanding, but, in his opinion, he is trying to get the department to get the most benefit for the taxpayer and the best result for the victims.”
Despite strong denials of the allegations, Mr Raab has publicly admitted that he will step down «if the bullying allegation is confirmed.» «February» was worded carefully, as he knew the report would not pass judgment on crossing the threshold of intimidation.
«The prime minister should fire him or agree with him on the decision and go as long as he was not pushed,” the source said.
“The PM may take courage.”
Mr. Sunak’s reckoning will depend on how egregious the facts in the report are and whether the claims are supported by evidence.
Mr. Sunak laid out his position when he promised to instill «honesty, professionalism and accountability at all levels» of government in an effort to bring the party out of the Boris Johnson era. If the report is deemed blatant, it will be politically difficult.
However, as one commentator countered, “How much of a Westminster bubble story is this? Do people care and buy into the idea of an “awakened” public service?”
Mr. Raab has been a linchpin in Mr. Sunak's re-election campaigns, and a source said, «If it were any other cabinet minister, it would be easier, but he is one of Rishi Sunak's close allies who supports him.
< p>“The prime minister can grow bolder. He had a few good weeks. We have a competent prime minister. He went out and did some big things, and all of a sudden he took them into his own hands, no matter how high you rate him. His back bench is pretty much under control. He may feel that he can leave him.”
Separately, The Telegraph can report that the DOJ's human resources budget increased more than 30-fold to over £18,000 a day during Mr Raab's first tenure as judge. Secretary.
Figures released under transparency rules and compiled by the Labor Party show that in the year Mr Raab has been in office since September 2021, the department spent £6.7 million on H.R. In the previous two years, under Sir Robert Buckland, the department had spent just £200,000 on HR, equivalent to £265 a day.
Angela Rayner, Deputy Labor Leader, said: Raab has been unable to keep people safe with a collapsing criminal justice system, but his department is also wasting taxpayer money as Justice Department civil servants seek staffing support on an unprecedented scale under his command. These numbers lift the veil on his toxic rule as Minister of Justice.”
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