British Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Dominic Raab has resigned over allegations of bullying. He was reacting to the results of an investigative report on his behavior as a minister. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ordered the investigation after allegations by former Raab employees became known.
In a letter of resignation published on Twitter on Friday, Raab emphasized that he accepts the report’s findings, but continues to reject the allegations of bullying. The report was handed over to Sunak on Thursday. However, its contents were not initially made public.
Of several allegations, only two were recognized as justified, Raab wrote. However, the assessor found “that not once in four and a half years have I insulted or yelled at anyone, thrown objects or otherwise physically intimidated or intentionally humiliated anyone,” said Raab.
Raab did not say which allegations were confirmed. But he thinks the decision was wrong. Defining bullying in such a low-threshold also sets a dangerous precedent, he wrote. However, he apologizes for “any unintended stress or offense that I have brought to the Department of Justice through pace, standards or challenges.”
Raab is the third senior Sunak government member to resign over personal conduct. Sunak has been in office since October. Raab asked for an investigation in November after complaints against him became known. Sunak then hired a lawyer to independently review the allegations.