Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab repeatedly reduced staff to tears and “ruined people’s lives” through “coercive behaviour”, according to officials who worked with him.
As an inquiry into the bullying claims against Mr Raab nears its conclusion, Sky News spoke to individuals across various government departments who raised concerns about his treatment of colleagues.
Adam Tolley KC was appointed last year to investigate the allegations.
His findings are expected to be published soon, but Mr Tolley’s remit is solely to “establish the facts” of Mr Raab’s conduct. It will be up to the prime minister to decide whether the deputy PM should face sanction.
The testimony is varied but consistent and concerns Mr Raab’s actions towards junior staff members.
“He would adapt his behaviour depending on the person,” said one source who worked with Mr Raab.
“So if you weren’t important, he’s absolutely awful, and then he’d pivot to being reasonable and affable – say with the PM or another senior figure.”
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Another source said Mr Raab “put the fear of God” into junior staff. Officials were “nervous about going into meetings with him because they feared having strips torn off them or an unpleasant encounter. It was not a good place to be.”
One source has told Sky News that senior civil servants put more senior staff into Mr Raab’s private office “to put in a bit of protection” for less experienced members.
“His was the worst behaviour I have ever seen. The way he would treat people, belittle people, interrogate people, ignore people. He created an awful atmosphere. It was coercive behaviour. He had people in tears after coming out of his office – but they wouldn’t want to complain, they saw it as professional pride – just to cope with it.”
Those close to the investigation say it was as much about his way of working and demanding standards: “He wanted attention at all times.”
Staff describe how they felt nervous about getting the tube into work in the mornings – because Mr Raab wanted them on the phone at all times, at any point he required. “He ruined people’s lives”, one source alleges. Civil servants who worked with him felt “they couldn’t win”.
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Another source corroborates that atmosphere. “It took us probably a couple of months to realise that we were never going to get it right.” He was “always unhappy” about something, and the way he reacted was very “passive aggressive”.
“He wouldn’t shout, but he’d be so angry. Quiet fury. The vein would be pumping on his head and he would look like he was about to explode.”
Mr Raab denies all allegations of bullying and has said he behaved “professionally at all times”, though he says he would resign if an allegation is upheld.
Yesterday, while giving evidence to the Lords home affairs and justice committee, Mr Raab was asked whether anything was being done to improve staff morale at the ministry of justice.
He responded: “I’m not going to touch on anything which relates to the inquiry. I’m sure you would agree that would be improper of me.
“But let me say generally, both in previous departments and in the ministry of justice, I would say we are served by a terrific cohort of civil servants. By and large, the relationship is very effective with ministers across the board. I think that we’ve also got a very ambitious agenda in the way that I described, and the overwhelming majority relish that.”
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While some Conservative colleagues called for Mr Raab to resign as the investigation continued, others who worked with him tweeted in defence as reports emerged.
Helen Grant MP worked with Mr Raab at the Foreign Office and tweeted: “I witnessed a very decent, hard working Minister with high professional standards and a solid work ethic. Dominic has zero tolerance for bullying.”
Mr Raab’s former principal private secretary, Eddie Hughes, also defended the justice secretary: “When I got my first job as his PPS, I was told Dom was demanding. He’s very hard working and expects others to be too.
“I was delighted. I wanted to work for someone who took their role seriously. We got on great from the start. Never saw him be rude to anyone at MHCLG or DExEU”.
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The eventual outcome will present questions for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Earlier today, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner asked cabinet minister Oliver Dowden whether Mr Sunak’s ethics adviser would be asked to assess whether Mr Tolley’s report identifies any breach of the ministerial code.
Mr Dowden said the adviser was independent, adding, “it’ll be a matter for him to decide whether he wishes to take further action in consultation with the PM”.
When Mr Sunak came to power, he promised a government of accountability, integrity and professionalism. But questions remain about what Mr Sunak knew and when.
A senior source said last month the PM was made aware of Mr Raab’s “unacceptable behaviour” long before Rishi Sunak appointed him – which raises questions about his judgement. But Number 10 hold the line that no formal allegations were made in October.
Mr Raab is understood to have been interviewed for his version of events. The investigation is in its concluding stages.
