Dominic Raab is right to resign from the Cabinet but the decision should have been made for him. Bullying behaviour is unacceptable in the workplace from anyone, never mind a senior member of the Government.
He was found to have acted in an “intimidating” and “aggressive” way to officials who were just trying to do their job. He threatened members of staff, slammed tables and resorted to personal insults.
If Rishi Sunak had any backbone at all he would have sacked Raab months ago. But instead he listed all his colleague’s supposed achievements, as if he deserved praise. He sympathised with Raab instead of the victims.
Allegations of bullying by Raab are not new, with some going back to 2007, but the manner of his resignation was typical of this Conservative government. He decided to attack the process rather than accepting he had done anything wrong.
He showed no remorse and instead decided to gaslight those who had accused him by saying there was a “low” threshold for bullying. In short, he hasn’t really accepted he has done anything wrong.
Keir Starmer was right to say that nobody wants to hear his “whining”. Those who came forward with complaints against Raab were brave and deserve to be commended.
As for Raab, hopefully it is the last time we see him anywhere near government.
Don’t stand back
Former chief inspector Graham Goulden is right to highlight the issue of bystanders who witness youth violence and do nothing. The Record’s Our Kids… Our Future campaign has told of a number of cases where young people have been victims of attacks that have often been filmed and posted online.
In the footage there are always those who stand by and watch the vicious bullying unfold. In an ideal world it would be great if people who knew what was going on was wrong could intervene.
But the reality is that many would feel intimidated and fearful of their own safety if they got involved. It is important though that unacceptable behaviour is called out and as Goulden says, that could mean having a word with a friend before a situation escalates.
It could also be just removing yourself from a situation and letting someone in authority know so they can take action. Everyone has a role to play to curb youth violence. Don’t be a bystander.
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