Dominic Raab takes a break from work every afternoon to go to the gym, it can be revealed.
The Deputy PM has been nicknamed “Dumbbell Dom” as he demands at least an hour is blocked out in his ministerial diary each day so he can work out.
Mr Raab spends most afternoons letting off steam in a private gym in the basement of the Ministry of Justice.
Officials have complained that they are forced to stay at their desks late into the evening to fit around the minister’s fitness routine in the middle of the working day.
It comes as Mr Raab is under investigation over complaints that he has bullied civil servants in at least three government departments.
The top Tory, 48, is a black belt in karate and captained the karate club at Oxford where he studied law. He was also a member of the university’s amateur boxing club.
During the 2019 Tory leadership contest, he released a picture of himself in shorts and a vest from his time in the boxing club.
Earlier this year, he revealed he still keeps a punching bag in his garage so he can “let off a bit of steam”.
A lawyer is currently investigating three complaints about Mr Raab’s behaviour as a minister. Adam Tolley KC is looking at incidents during his stints as Justice Secretary, foreign secretary and Brexit secretary, dating back to 2018.
Mr Raab has denied any allegations of bullying. He has insisted he "behaved professionally at all times" and that he looks forward to dealing with the complaints "transparently rather than dealing with anonymous comments in the media".
The Cabinet minister was sacked as Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister by Liz Truss when she became PM in September.
But the Esher and Walton MP was reappointed to both roles by Rishi Sunak on his arrival in No10.
A source close to the Deputy PM last night said that he chooses to use the gym instead of taking a lunch break.
They insisted he works from 7am as he travels to Westminster in his chauffeur-driven car and continues late into the evening.
The source said the Ministry of Justice gym is open to all staff who work in the building.
