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Issues over Dominic Raab’s behaviour in the direction of officers have been raised inside Whitehall throughout his time as Brexit secretary in 2018, the Observer has been informed.
Within the newest allegation in opposition to Raab over his conduct in authorities, a senior supply mentioned {that a} doc outlining a “formal expression of concern” was dispatched to the Cupboard Workplace by a distinguished official within the Brexit division.
It’s understood that the doc alleged “unprofessional, even bullying, conduct of the minister in the direction of his non-public workplace”. A supply with data of the grievance mentioned that no motion was taken.
Raab served as Brexit secretary solely briefly between July and November 2018. The cupboard workplace mentioned that it had not acquired a proper grievance. Nevertheless, it’s not clear whether or not the doc submitted was supposed to signify a proper grievance.
The revelations, additionally reported by ITV Information, come after the Guardian revealed civil servants on the Ministry of Justice have been supplied “respite or a route out” of the division when Raab was reappointed final month. Some have been mentioned to have issues about his earlier behaviour there.
About 15 members of employees are mentioned to have been taken right into a room the place departmental officers acknowledged they is likely to be anxious about his previous behaviour and gave them the choice to maneuver to completely different positions. Nevertheless, sources near Raab have mentioned that whereas he expects excessive requirements from officers, he’s “all the time skilled and clear with them”.
Antonia Romeo, the MoJ’s everlasting secretary, is known to have spoken to Raab when he returned to the division beneath Rishi Sunak’s management. She is claimed to have informed him to deal with employees with respect.
Raab was introduced again as justice secretary following his distinguished function in Sunak’s management marketing campaign. Sunak additionally handed him the title of deputy prime minister.
The claims about Raab comply with the departure of Gavin Williamson from cupboard after complaints of alleged bullying of colleagues. It’s alleged he despatched expletive-laden messages to former chief whip Wendy Morton complaining about not being invited to the Queen’s funeral. There have been additionally allegations in opposition to him from civil servants throughout his time as defence secretary.
A supply conscious of the claims made about Raab throughout his time as Brexit secretary was vital of the cupboard workplace’s response, stating it was “ineffective and unreliable” in defending civil servants. “As traditional nothing occurred,” they mentioned. “It wasn’t the primary time that civil servants have expressed concern to the cupboard workplace and nothing has been performed.”
One other senior official who had expertise working with Raab mentioned that he had not been aggressive, however was obsessive about minor particulars and insisted on paperwork being formatted in a particular manner, whereas refusing to take residence ministerial pink packing containers after Thursday night. “Working with him was not for the faint-hearted,” they mentioned. “He could possibly be very arduous work.”
There may be now debate amongst Tories about the best way wherein Raab conducts himself. One former minister mentioned: “Everybody dreaded him coming again to the MoJ. He’s totally unreasonable, and solely works by Spads. He was totally undiplomatic.” Nevertheless, Helen Grant, who labored with him as a minister on the Overseas Workplace, mentioned Raab had been “very first rate”, with “excessive skilled requirements”.
The MoJ mentioned: “There may be zero tolerance for bullying throughout the civil service. The deputy prime minister leads knowledgeable division, driving ahead main reforms, the place civil servants are valued and the extent of ambition is excessive.”
Opposition events have been calling for a proper investigation of Raab. “These newest reviews can’t be brushed beneath the carpet by Rishi Sunak. He should launch an investigation into Raab with fast impact,” mentioned Lib Dem Daisy Cooper. “No employees, whether or not within the civil service or some other sector, must be subjected to working with or for a bully.”
A spokesperson for Raab mentioned: “Dominic has by no means acquired nor been made conscious of any formal grievance in opposition to him. He constantly holds himself to the very best requirements of professionalism and enjoys good working relationships with officers throughout Whitehall.”
