I will quit if probe finds me guilty of bullying civil servants, pledges Raab

DOMINIC Raab yesterday pledged to resign from the Cabinet if an official investigation finds he bullied staff.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is facing a string of historical complaints from officials, insisted he had ‘behaved professionally throughout’ his career in Government.

But he said he would quit if an investigation by lawyer Adam Tolley upholds the claims against him.

Mr Raab told Sky News: ‘Allow me to respond in the right way at the right time, of course. Look, if an allegation of bullying is upheld, I will resign.’

The Deputy PM is facing eight formal complaints about his conduct at different departments, with dozens of officials said to be willing to give evidence against him.

Some claim to have been left in tears by his alleged overbearing manner. But while friends of Mr Raab acknowledge he can be a ‘tough’ boss, they insist he has never crossed the line into bullying.

Whitehall sources said the outcome of the inquiry is likely to be ‘weeks away’, with Mr Raab only now beginning to give evidence about the claims to Mr Tolley.

But Mr Raab hit back at suggestions from Labour and the unions that he should be suspended while the investigation continues, saying it would ‘politicise’ the process and encourage malicious complaints designed to oust a minister.

He said the idea that ‘just by lodging complaints you can knock out a Cabinet Minister, I’m not sure that’s right.’

He denied he was a bully, but said ministers should have the right to ‘directly challenge’ officials.

‘That is part of the relationship with civil servants.’

Mr Raab added: ‘I think the lion’s share of the time, civil servants and ministers work very effectively together.’