Sunak backs Raab as inquiry expanded to look at new complaint

Rishi Sunak still has confidence in his deputy after an inquiry into Dominic Raab’s behaviour was expanded to include a third formal complaint lodged against him.

The latest claim relates to Mr Raab’s tenure in the now-defunct Department for Exiting the European Union, Downing Street said.

It will be considered alongside two other formal complaints against the senior minister concerning his prior stints at the Ministry of Justice and the Foreign Office.

No 10 said it is understood the most recent allegation was received by the Cabinet Office on Wednesday.

Mr Sunak asked for the scope of the inquiry to be updated on Thursday night, having received the “requisite advice” from the department.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that the prime minister has now asked the investigator to add a further formal complaint relating to conduct at the Department for Exiting the European Union and to establish the facts in line with the existing terms of reference.”

Asked if Mr Sunak still had confidence in Mr Raab, she said: “Yes, he does.

“There’s now an independent investigation that’s ongoing. We’re not going to pre-empt or pre-judge that process.”