Dominic Raab bullying: Five further formal complaints filed against deputy prime minister

Total number of complaints being investigated by inquiry rises to eight

An inquiry is being held into the deputy prime minister’s behaviour (EPA)

Five further formal complaints have been filed against Dominic Raab over his behaviour at work, Downing Street has confirmed.

A total of eight complaints have now been made against the deputy prime minister following allegations he bullied colleagues and left officials too scared to enter his office.

The latest five related to alleged behaviour at the Ministry of Justice, which Mr Raab has run since September 2021.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner called on Rishi Sunak to explain why he had not suspended his deputy while the inquiry into his behaviour is conducted, branding the prime minister “weak” for failing to act against his close ally.

Ms Rayner also called for action from the government to ensure that staff have a safe working environment.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, the prime minister's official spokesperson told reporters: “I can confirm that the prime minister has now asked the investigator to include five further formal complaints relating to conduct at the Ministry of Justice as part of the ongoing investigation and in line with the existing terms of reference."

In November Downing Street confirmed it was opening an inquiry into Mr Raab’s alleged behaviour, following media reports about his conduct.

It initially covered two incidents, but was widened to three later in the same week it launched.

No 10 said the five new incidents were alleged to have taken place during Raab’s first spell as justice secretary from September 2021 to September 2022. He was briefly replaced in the role by Liz Truss but was re-appointed by Mr Sunak.

The lawyer heading the inquiry into the deputy prime minister’s behaviour will report to Mr Sunak, who will make the final judgement about whether his political ally breached the ministerial code, which he oversees.

Mr Raab has insisted he has “behaved professionally at all times”.

Speaking later on Wednesday Mr Raab told the Joint Committee on Human Rights: "I've been clear on the claims made with regard to myself. I believe I've behaved professionally throughout.

"But, of course, I welcome, indeed, I called for an independent investigation so that I could deal with them transparently, not through the tittle tattle that's anonymously leaked to the media."

But Labour’s Ms Rayner said: “It is yet another sign of how weak Rishi Sunak is as a prime minister that despite being aware of Dominic Raab’s reputation, he appointed him as his deputy.

“The prime minister must now say why he has not been suspended until the outcome of the formal investigation, and make clear that any breach of the ministerial code will result in his immediate sacking.

“The government must also take immediate steps to ensure there is a safe working environment for their staff.”

A senior Labour spokesperson suggested that the PM’s unwillingness to act was linked to Mr Raab’s support for his campaign to replace Ms Truss in Downing Street without a Tory membership vote earlier this year.

“We know the deals that were done in the course of avoiding the leadership election and the political allegiances that the prime minister had to build up,” said the spokesperson.

“Unfortunately, that weakness has consequences in terms of his failure to act in what would seem to be an appropriate way in this case.”

The Labour spokesperson said he was unable to judge whether Mr Raab should be sacked as justice secretary, as he did not have access to details about the complaints against him.

But asked if he should be suspended while the investigation proceeds, he replied: “Some action like that would be appropriate.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: "The trickle of allegations about Dominic Raab has turned into a flood and his position is becoming increasingly untenable.

"Rishi Sunak must ask Raab to step down as justice secretary while these complaints are investigated, and confirm he won’t be reappointed if they are upheld.

"Anything less would make a mockery of Sunak’s claim that he would govern with integrity. It can’t be one rule for Conservative ministers and another for everyone else."