UK Deputy PM Dominic Raab resigns, says inquiry set threshold for bullying 'so low'

DominicRaabhasresigned as UK deputy prime minister after an enquiry into bullying allegations. Raab, who was also the United Kingdom'sjustice secretary, has been accused of victimising civil servants in three different government departments. Reuters reports that Raab, one of Rishi Sunak's top ministers, quit following an independent investigation into the complaints of bullying.

In a resignation statementhe shared on Twitter, Raab said he was keeping his word.He also dismissed the inquiry's findings, calling them "flawed," and said they "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," he said.

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"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."

On the findings of the investigation by Adam Tolley KC, he claimed it was found 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."

"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," said the minister adding that"in setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent."

Dominic Raab is the third senior minister in Sunak administration to depart in the last six months. The departure is an embarrassment to Sunak, who in October took over as PM promising a government of integrity.It will also damage the PM's efforts to revive the governing Conservative Party's fortunes.

His resignation comes just two weeks before the English local council elections, where Sunak's Conservative Party is expacted to fare poorly, according to predictions.

It will also negatively impact the party's already damaged public perception.

The tenure of Boris Johnson, another Conservative PM, was rocked by scandals and notoriously turbulent.The public perception from the many scandalsis often blamed for bringing down his successor Liz Truss after less than two months in office.

Previously, another one of Sunak's high-ranking ministers Gavin Williamson was pushed out in November because of bullying claims. In January, the prime minister had to dismiss Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi because of his failure to comply with the ministerial code in relation to his tax records.

(With inputs from agencies)

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