Raab ‘warned about conduct’ by Johnson

‘We believe innocent until proven guilty in this country – if an allegation of bullying is upheld I’ll resign’

BORIS JOHNSON privately warned Dominic Raab about his conduct and has given evidence to the bullying investigation into his former cabinet colleague, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

The former prime minister has been interviewed by Adam Tolley KC, the independent lawyer who is looking into formal complaints made against Mr Raab about his treatment of staff.

Mr Raab, the Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, has faced a number of allegations about his behaviour towards junior staff in government departments, broadly centred on claims of a demeaning and forthright attitude.

The FDA trade union, which represents senior and middle management civil servants, has said it understands dozens of people are involved in those complaints spanning several years.

Mr Raab has categorically rejected suggestions of wrongdoing, saying in the past: “I’m confident I have behaved professionally at all times.”

He held Cabinet positions throughout Mr Johnson’s three-year premiership but was moved between posts.

Initially Mr Raab was foreign secretary but he was reshuffled into the Justice Department in September 2021, with government sources at the time saying he resisted the move.

The duration of Mr Johnson’s interview with Mr Tolley and the full contents of what was discussed are not known.

But the revelation that Mr Johnson warned Mr Raab about his conduct is a major development in the investigation.

Both Mr Johnson and Mr Raab’s spokesmen declined to comment on the revelations, citing the fact that the inquiry is ongoing.

The investigation is understood to be in its final stage.

Rishi Sunak has said he will await the outcome of the inquiry before making any decision on Mr Raab’s future in the Cabinet.

Mr Raab played a central role in Mr Sunak’s two Conservative Party leadership campaigns last year, including speaking at the launch of the former chancellor’s bid to become prime minister in the summer.

Mr Raab has defended the right of the investigation to do its work before decisions are taken, telling Sky News last month: “We believe innocent until proven guilty in this country.”

During the same interview the 49-year-old father of two said he would step down if the investigation found against him, saying: “If an allegation of bullying is upheld I will resign.”