Aggressive, Abrasive, Intimidating — Key Findings In Bullying Report Which Led To UK Deputy PM's Resignation
The complaints are of the time Raab held positions in the Brexit department, Foreign Office and Ministry of Justice.
Dominic Raab on Friday resigned as the deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom over allegations of bullying. An independent investigation into the matter, which he himself had requested, upheld the allegations. BBC reported that the inquiry looked at eight formal complaints covering Raab's time as Brexit secretary under Theresa May and as justice secretary and foreign secretary under Boris Johnson. The probe was conducted by an independent investigator, barrister Adam Tolley KC on the instruction of the UK Prime Minister. The investigation involved 24 people, the BBC mentioned in the report.
The complaints are of the time Raab held positions in the Brexit department, Foreign Office and Ministry of Justice, the Guardian said in its report.
Key Report Findings
'Persistently Aggressive' In Meeting - Foreign Office
According to BBC, one of the complaints highlighted that Raab acted "in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive" during a work meeting as foreign secretary.
"His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates," the report added, quoted BBC.
He replaced a Foreign Office negotiator after the senior diplomat allegedly “breached the mandate agreed by cabinet” during Brexit negotiations over Gibraltar, said the Guardian citing the Telegraph.
The report further adds that Raab went "beyond what was reasonably necessary in order to give effect to his decision and introduced a punitive element".
Described Work As 'Useless And Woeful' - Ministry of Justice
As justice secretary, Raab acted in an "intimidating" manner when delivering critical feedback on work on a number of occasions, the report found, as stated by the BBC.
The Guardian said that the most wide-ranging complaints related to Raab’s most recent role as justice secretary, from 2022-23.
The report states one example where Raab described some work as "utterly useless" and "woeful", said the BBC report.
As per the Guardian, the report mentioned that such was the detrimental impact of Raab’s behaviour on staff, it was claimed that they suffered stress and anxiety, and felt forced to take special unpaid leave – or in one case stress-related sick leave.
The report concluded that his conduct was "abrasive" at times which "feels intimidating or insulting to the individual but is not intended to be so". It added though, that Raab’s conduct was not "abusive" and behaviour was not "intended and specifically targeted", said the BBC.
Investigator’s Conclusions
No Evidence Of Misuse Of Power As Brexit Secretary
Independent investigator Tolley mentioned in the report that no evidence was found to suggest any abuse or misuse of power following a complaint made about his time as Brexit secretary in 2018.
"The deputy prime minister's conduct cannot be characterised as offensive, malicious or insulting," the report said, as quoted by BBC.
Tolley said that as justice secretary, Raab had “acted in a manner which was intimidating” by going further than appropriate in “delivering critical feedback”, and insulting officials by making “unconstructive critical comments” about their work, stated the Guardian.
Gestures 'Not Intended To Be Threatening'
It was claimed in complaints that Raab extended his hand "directly out towards another person's face with a view to making them stop talking". As per the report, complaints mentioned loud banging on a table and finger-pointing other “intimidating” gestures.
However, as per BBC, Tolley KC concluded there was "significant scope for misunderstanding" over the physical gestures and he was not convinced that Mab used them in a threatening way.
No Evidence Of Shouting And Swearing
The report also found there was no "persuasive evidence" the minister shouted at individuals. It added, "I also conclude that he did not swear at any individuals or swear more generally."
Disciplinary Threat 'Intimidating'
While at the Foreign Office, the report added that Raab was said to have suggested those involved in a project had breached the Civil Service Code, so would have been in breach of their employment contracts.
BB reported that senior diplomat Sir Philip Barton told the investigator he had an informal meeting and that he should threaten staff with the code.
The report found the behaviour had a "significant adverse effect" on a particular individual and Raab's conduct was "a form of intimidating behaviour".
Tolley opined that Raab did not intend to threaten anyone with disciplinary action, but should have known how “his comments would be interpreted”.
He said that if a relatively minor issue was not solved, Raab would “press repeatedly to identify the very junior official responsible” and order a more senior staff member to deliver a personal apology, quoted the Guardian.
In all, the investigator found a description of bullying had been met, whilst Raab was foreign secretary and justice secretary.
But, in relation to complaints from his time as justice secretary, Tolley concluded that Raab "did not intend by the conduct described to upset or humiliate", nor did he "target anyone for a specific type of treatment".
Raab’s Response
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Raab said he was "genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt".
"I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word," Raab said as quoted by Reuters. He further said, "In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government - and ultimately the British people."
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