UK Deputy Prime Minister Steps Down Amid Allegations He Bullied Officials

(Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)
UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigns following an investigation looking into allegations that he bullied officials.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab files resignation amid allegations that he bullied officials
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted his ally's decision with "great sadness"
Sunak installed Oliver Dowden as the new deputy prime minister

UK Deputy Prime Minister Domonic Raab resigned from his post following allegations that he bullied officials, dealing a serious blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's premiership.

Raab considered one of Sunak's closest allies, said in his resignation letter that he decided following an official inquiry that some of the claims made against him were justified. On the other hand, the prime minister accepted his deputy's resignation with "great sadness" and installed Oliver Dowden as the new deputy prime minister.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Resigns Over Bullying Allegations

Independent investigator Adam Tolley investigates the allegations against Raab. As per CNN, it follows eight formal complaints regarding the official's behavior during his time as foreign secretary, Brexit secretary, and justice secretary.

Raab said that he called for the inquiry and undertook to resign if it found that there was evidence of any bullying. He added that his decision to step down was made because it was essential to keep his promises.

He added that the investigation into the allegations dismissed all accusations except for two claims. He said that he had not once sworn or shouted at anyone in four and a half years and had not thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated any individual or intentionally belittled anyone.

The report was later published after Raab's resignation on Friday, where it revealed that it concluded that the official acted in an intimidating way. The bullying behavior was allegedly done at times when the office would be unreasonably and persistently aggressive in conduct under the guise of having a work meeting.

In response to the investigation findings, Raab noted that setting the standards for bullying at an extremely low level was setting a dangerous precedent. He claims that it would encourage spurious complaints against Ministers of the country. According to Inquirer, he added that it would have a chilling effect on people who are driving change on behalf of the government.

Setting a Dangerous Precedent

The latest development marks the third senior minister that has stepped down over personal conduct since Sunak was appointed prime minister. He entered Downing Street last October, committing to a government of integrity.

Sunak said that Raab had rightly undertaken to resign following the investigation's findings of bullying. During his remarks, he also appointed Alex Chalk as the new justice secretary for the region.

Raab said he was genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offense that officials felt from him. He said that these were most likely a result of the pace, standards, and challenge he brought to the Minister of Justice.

Just a short while after Raab initially took the role of deputy prime minister, Minister Without Portfolio Sir Gavin Williamson stepped down in November amid similar allegations of bullying. Earlier this year, Nadhim Zahawi was stripped from his post as Conservative Party chairman following an inquiry that found he committed a "serious breach of the Ministerial Code," said CNBC.