Raab ‘threw tomatoes’ in rage amid bullying claims

DOMINIC RAAB was last night accused of hurling tomatoes across a table as he was embroiled in a bullying storm.

The Deputy Prime Minister threw the contents of a Pret A Manger salad after being displeased at a briefing, according to reports. His spokesman described the claims as “complete nonsense”.

A Whitehall insider told The Sun: “He began a tirade, opened his Pret salad and threw three tomatoes into a bag across the table.”

A Ministry of Justice (MOJ) spokeswoman said: “There is zero tolerance for bullying in the civil service. The Deputy Prime Minister leads a professional department, driving major reforms.”

Civil servants have allegedly been told they did not have to work directly for Mr Raab because of bullying claims.

Mandarins at the Ministry of Justice were apparently offered “respite or a route out” when he was reappointed as their boss last month.

Whitehall managers feared some were still traumatised from his first year-long stint in charge of the department, which ended in September.

He was sacked by Liz Truss but brought back into his old role, which includes the Deputy Prime Minister’s job, six weeks later by Rishi Sunak.

A source close to Mr Raab said he “makes no apologies for having high standards” but that he was “always professional and clear” with his staff.

Upon his return, Antonia Romeo, the Moj’s top civil servant, “read him the riot act” about his behaviour towards officials, according to The Guardian.

The paper said about 15 staff who work in the Justice Secretary’s private office were also offered the option of changing roles. One source said Mr Raab created “a culture of fear” when running the department and was “very rude and aggressive” to workers.

The Liberal Democrats called for an investigation into the Justice Secretary, warning that the claims must not be “brushed under the carpet”.

Separately, plans have emerged to crack down on bullying, harassment and sexual assault within Parliament.

A panel of MPS would be formed and given the powers to banish colleagues suspected of serious misconduct.

The proposals will be presented to the Commons Commission on Monday.

Currently, those accused of serious misconduct can only be asked to stay away from the estate voluntarily, not compelled to do so.

A House of Commons spokesman said: “Bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct have no place in the House of Commons.”