Dominic Raab: Bullying report into deputy prime minister handed to Number 10

A report into bullying allegations against Dominic Raab has been handed to Number 10 – with the prime minister “carefully considering” its findings.

Mr Raab, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, has been subject to an independent investigation by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC since November last year.

Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson said the prime minister had received the findings “this morning”.

Asked whether the PM still has confidence in Mr Raab, the spokesperson said: “The prime minister is carefully considering the findings of the report”

Mr Tolley was tasked with determining whether Mr Raab had bullied civil servants during his time as both foreign secretary from 2019 to 2021, and then justice secretary from 2021 to 2022 under Boris Johnson’s premiership.

Throughout the investigation, Mr Raab has insisted he “behaved professionally at all times” and pointed out he called the inquiry into himself when the accusations were made.

He told Sky News in February he would resign if the inquiry found he had bullied staff.

Mr Sunak now holds the cards to Mr Raab’s future as the ministerial code states the prime minister is the ultimate judge of the standards expected of a minister.

The prime minister can also determine what the appropriate consequences are in the event of a breach of ministerial standards.

Read more:
What are the allegations against Dominic Raab?

Mr Sunak has insisted since the inquiry began he would wait until it is concluded before he makes a decision, despite facing calls to suspend Mr Raab while the investigation took place.

Mr Tolley is understood to have spoken to dozens of witnesses, including top civil servants and Mr Johnson, following claims Mr Raab created a “culture of fear” at the Ministry of Justice, and allegations that he was “very rude and aggressive”.

Colleagues were allegedly “scared” to go into his office when he was foreign secretary, former permanent secretary Lord McDonald has said.