Rishi Sunak has received the findings of the investigation into complaints of alleged bullying by Dominic Raab and is “carefully considering” its findings, No.10 has said.
The highly anticipated report landed on the PM’s desk this morning.
Sunak appointed employment barrister Adam Tolley KC in December to investigate two formal complaints against the justice secretary, which alleged that he had bullied staff. The number of official complaints has since grown to eight.
The formal complaints were submitted after a spate of media reports alleging that Raab had behaved inappropriately towards staff. Speaking to CSW, officials claimed Raab had "created a culture of fear" at the Ministry of Justice and made a habit of “intimidating and belittling” civil servants.
Raab has consistently denied all the allegations and insisted that he has “behaved professionally”.
It is up to the prime minister to judge whether Raab has broken the ministerial code, and what action to take, based on the report’s findings.
The prime minister has been criticised for failing to involve the independent adviser on ministers' interests in the investigation. Sir Laurie Magnus was not appointed to the post, which had been vacant for several months, until after the probe began.
In February, FDA union chief Dave Penman said it would “undermine the integrity” of the process and risk politicising the investigation’s findings if Sunak did not involve Magnus in some way.
Unions have also attacked the PM's decision not to suspend Raab as justice secretary and deputy prime minister while the investigation took place, with PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka saying it had contributed to a “collapse in morale” in the civil service.
Asked whether Sunak had full confidence in Raab, the PM’s spokesperson said he did but was "carefully considering the findings of the report before coming to a judgement".