Tory MPs have defended Dominic Raab after the Deputy Prime Minister was accused of being “rude” and “aggressive” towards civil servants.
Rishi Sunak is facing further questions over his judgment after it emerged staff reportedly offered a “route out” of the Justice Secretary’s department when he was reinstated in October.
The Cabinet minister created a “culture of fear” in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) multiple sources have claimed, according to the Guardian.
Some Tories hit back at the claims, including Helen Grant, the MP for Maidstone and The Weald, who said when work with Mr Raab when he was justice secretary he was “very decent” minister with “high professional standards”
Ms Grant, who worked with Mr Raab last year when she was UK special envoy for girls’ global education, insisted the Mr Raab had “zero tolerance for bullying”.
Fellow Conservative MP Eddie Hughes also said he had never seen Mr Raab be rude to anyone during his time in the housing or Brexit departments.
The Walsall North MP tweeted: “When I got my first job as his PPS I was told Dom was demanding. ‘He’s very hard working and expects others to be too’.
“I was delighted. I wanted to work for someone who took their role seriously. We got on great from the start. Never saw him be rude to anyone at MHCLG or DExEU.”
According to The Mirror, the Justice Secretary has acquired the nickname “The Incinerator” because he “burns through” staff.
The Sun suggested Mr Raab had once hurled tomatoes from a salad across a room in a fit of anger – claims Mr Raab’s spokesman said was “nonsense”.
One source alleged the Cabinet Office had been informed of concerns over Mr Raab’s behaviour when he was Brexit secretary, according to ITV News – but the department said it had “no record of any formal complaints”.
Labour and the Lib Dems have called for an investigation into the claims raised by the Guardian.
Insiders insisted the Justice Secretary does not engage in bullying, saying he is “direct” but rates his team highly.
More from News
They rebutted any suggestion he does not behave in a professional manner, adding they do not recognise the “Incinerator” nickname or the idea there has been a high turnover of staff working with him.
The allegations heap further pressure on the Prime Minister after he was widely criticised for reappointing Mr Williamson to his senior team despite being told he was under investigation for allegedly bullying former chief whip Wendy Morton.
Mr Sunak also faced criticism for reinstating Suella Braverman as Home Secretary just six days after she was forced to quit over a security breach.
It is claims around 15 staff from the Justice Secretary’s private office were called to a meeting when he returned to his post, where it was acknowledged they may be worried about his conduct.
They were said to have been given the option to move roles, with some reported to be visibly emotional.
Antonia Romeo, the most senior civil servant in the MoJ, is also said to have spoken to Mr Raab on his return to warn him of the need to treat staff professionally and with respect.
The Guardian said it had spoken to officials who defended Mr Raab’s approach, but acknowledged it could be read as unprofessional or even bullying.
It is understood no formal complaints have been made against him.
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner described the accusations as “deeply troubling”, arguing they raise “yet more questions” about Mr Sunak’s judgment.
She also accused the Prime Minister of failing to “fill the ethical void at the heart of Downing Street” by appointing a new independent adviser on ministers’ interests.
A spokesman for Mr Raab said: “Dominic has high standards, works hard, and expects a lot from his team as well as himself.
“He has worked well with officials to drive the Government’s agenda across Whitehall in multiple government departments and always acts with the utmost professionalism.”
A MoJ spokeswoman 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.”
Mr Raab was removed as Justice Secretary, a role he had held since September 2021, by Liz Truss when she entered No 10, but reinstated by Mr Sunak.
Additional reporting by Press Association.