UK Deputy PM Dominic Raab has resigned after bullying allegations. Raab, who is the United Kingdom’s justice secretary as well as deputy prime minister, has been accused of victimising his civil servants in three different government departments. Reuters reports that Raab, one of Rishi Sunak’s top ministers, quit following an independent investigation into the complaints alleging bullying.
In a resignation statement, he shared on Twitter, Raab said he was keeping his word. He also dismissed the inquiry’s findings, calling them “flawed,” and said they “set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government.”
“First, Ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of Ministerial responsibility will be lost,” he said.
Raab further stated: “Second, Ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials, in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expect of us. Of course, this must be done within reasonable bounds. Mr Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone.”
“I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice. That is, however, what the public expect of Ministers working on their behalf,” said Raab.
Dominic Raab is the third Sunak government senior minister to depart in the last six months. Reuters reports that the departure is an embarrassment to Sunak, who in October took over as PM promising a government of integrity. It will also damage the PM’s efforts to revive the governing Conservative Party’s fortunes.
(With inputs from agencies)
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