Dominic Raab has resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary.
Mr Raab has been the subject of a lawyer-led inquiry into bullying allegations in recent months. The report from that inquiry was expected to be published yesterday but that did not happen as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deliberated over what action to take against his number two.
The Justice Secretary has always denied bullying staff after eight separate formal complaints were made about his behaviour as a minister. Senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC was appointed by the prime minister to investigate the allegations in November
Today, Mr Raab has announced his resignation with a letter to the Prime Minister that he shared on social media. He said it had been a 'privilege' to serve as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor as well as in a number of ministerial roles since 2015.
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Mr Raab said he felt 'duty-bound' to accept the outcome of the inquiry but made a number of criticisms of the way the inquiry has been carried out.
He said: "Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government.
"First, ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility will be lost. This was particularly true during my time as Foreign Secretary, in the context of the negotiations over Gibraltar, when a senior diplomate breached the mandate agreed by cabinet."
He added: "Second, ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials, in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expect of us. Of course this must be done within reasonable bounds."
Mr Raab said he inquiry concluded that he had 'not once in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone.' He added: "I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice. That is, however, what the public expect of ministers working on their behalf."
The outgoing Justice Secretary then complained that 'by setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent," adding: "It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers and have a chilling affect on those driving change on behalf of the government - and ultimately the British people."
Mr Raab said he remains supportive of Mr Sunak and this government, adding: "You have proved a great Prime Minister in very challenging times and you can count on my support from the back benches."
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