Can Sunak reform the ‘culture of fear’ in his government – before it’s too late?

Ministers don’t have to shout and scream to get the best out of their civil servants – it’s counterproductive, writes Andrew Grice

That so many complaints were made about Raab suggests there was no smoke without fire (Getty)

In resigning from the cabinet after the inquiry into allegations he bullied civil servants, Dominic Raab jumped before he was pushed by his close ally Rishi Sunak.

Some ministers will feel sympathy for the former deputy prime minister and agree with his angry, bitter resignation letter which suggests he was driven out by Whitehall officials. The karate black belt went out kicking and screaming, with a parting chop at Antonia Romeo, his permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice. Raab’s words do not read like those of someone hoping to return to government. For him, this is the end.

But we shouldn’t feel too sorry for Raab. Two complaints of bullying were upheld after a five-month investigation by Adam Tolley KC – a verdict Raab insists is “flawed”. Sunak had to judge Raab against the ministerial code of conduct.