In the latest accusation against Raab over his behavior in government, a senior source said a document outlining a “formal expression of concern” was sent to the Cabinet Office by a senior official in the Brexit department. The document is understood to allege “unprofessional and even intimidating behavior by the minister towards his private office”. A source with knowledge of the complaint said no action was taken. Raab only served as Brexit secretary briefly between July and November 2018. The Cabinet Office said it had not received a formal complaint. However, it is unclear whether the document submitted was intended to represent a formal complaint. The revelations, also reported by ITV News, come after the Guardian revealed that MoJ civil servants were offered “leave or the exit” from the department when Raab was reappointed last month. Some are said to have had concerns about his past behavior there. About 15 staff members were said to have been taken to a room where department officials acknowledged they might be concerned about his past behavior and gave them the option of moving to different positions. But sources close to Raab said that while he expects high standards from officials, he is “always professional and clear with them.” Antonia Romeo, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, is understood to have spoken to Raab when he returned to the department led by Rishi Sunak. He is said to have told him to treat staff with respect. Raab was reinstated as justice minister after his prominent role in Sunak’s leadership campaign. Sunak also handed him the title of deputy prime minister. Gavin Williamson, who resigned from the cabinet last week after allegations of bullying. Photo: PjrNews/Alamy The allegations against Raab follow the departure of Gavin Williamson from the cabinet after complaints he allegedly bullied colleagues. He is said to have sent expletive-laden messages to former leader Wendy Morton complaining that he had not been invited to the Queen’s funeral. There were also complaints against him by civil servants during the time he was Minister of Defense. A source familiar with the allegations made about Raab during his time as Brexit secretary criticized the cabinet’s response, saying it was “useless and unreliable” to protect civil servants. “As usual nothing happened,” they said. “It wasn’t the first time civil servants raised concerns at the cabinet office and nothing was done.” Another senior official who had experience working with Raab said he was not pushy but obsessed with small details and insisted documents be formatted a certain way, refusing to take ministerial red boxes after Thursday night. “Working with him was not for the faint of heart,” they said. “It could be very hard work.” There is now debate among the Tories about the way Raab is behaving. A former minister said: “Everyone was afraid of him going back to the Ministry of Justice. It’s completely nonsensical and only works through Spads. He was completely undiplomatic.” But Helen Grant, who worked with him as a minister at the Foreign Office, said Raab was “very decent”, with “high professional standards”. The Ministry of Justice said: “There is zero tolerance for bullying across the public service. The Deputy Prime Minister leads a professional department, promoting important reforms, where civil servants are valued and the level of ambition is high.” Opposition parties are calling for an official investigation into Raab. “These latest reports cannot be swept under the carpet by Rishi Sunak. An investigation into Raab must be launched with immediate effect,” said Lib Dem Daisy Cooper. “No staff, whether in the public service or in any other sector, should be subjected to work with or to intimidation.” A spokesman for Raab said: “Dominic has never received or been informed of a formal complaint against him. He consistently holds himself to the highest standards of professionalism and enjoys good working relationships with officials across Whitehall.”
