Now deputy PM is accused of bullying
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is the latest UK Government minister to be accused of mistreating civil servants and creating a “climate of fear” among staff.
The fresh allegations raised questions about Rishi Sunak’s judgment after cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson quit last week vowing to clear his name over bullying claims.
Raab reportedly earned the nickname “The Incinerator” because he “burned through” staff during his time as Justice Secretary. He was also accused of throwing tomatoes from a salad across a room in a fit of anger – an allegation denied by his spokesman.
One former civil servant reportedly said: “On more than one occasion I saw him blow up at civil servants, sometimes very senior ones, in meetings.
“While he was demanding, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the way he spoke to people was uncomfortable to witness. He was very rude and aggressive.”
Bullying allegations have dogged the Conservative Party in recent years. In 2020, a probe into the-then Home Secretary Priti Patel found she had “not consistently met the high standards required by the ministerial code of treating her civil servants with consideration and respect” and cited examples of shouting and swearing.
Tory MPS defended Raab after reports in The Guardian revealed staff were reportedly offered a “route out” of his department when he was reinstated as Justice Secretary in October.
Raab was removed from that role, which he had held since September 2021, by Liz Truss when she entered No 10, but reinstated by Sunak.
Labour said the accusations were troubling and raised questions about Sunak’s judgment.
Labour’s shadow levelling-up secretary Alex Norris MP said: “We’re only reading in the last sort of 24 hours some of the issues relating to the deputy prime minister and what he may or may not have thrown and it’s important that that’s given the full airing.
“I just don’t think government ministers should be bullying civil servants and we can make this as complicated as we want in terms of what language people use or, or what other behaviours people exhibit in public, but fundamentally, I just don’t think they should do that.”
The Ministry of Justice said: “There is zero tolerance for bullying across the civil service.
“The deputy prime minister leads a professional department, driving forward major reforms, where civil servants are valued and the level of ambition is high.”