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Union chief says ‘protagonist’ Dominic Raab should stop making public statements about bullying investigation

DOMINIC RAAB should stop making public statements about an investigation into his conduct following reports he bullied staff, senior civil servant union FDA demanded today.

As the “protagonist” in the probe, the Deputy Prime Minister should refrain from commenting until the process is over, general secretary Dave Penman argued. 

The Esher and Walton MP, who is also Justice Secretary, has given interviews defending himself against the claims, telling the BBC: “I’m confident I have behaved professionally at all times.”

Referring to allegations made in the media by anonymous whistleblowers, Mr Raab said he would not comment on them specifically but said “my experience is that they are mostly incorrect.”

The Cabinet Minister is being investigated by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC over bullying allegations – with dozens of officials thought to be involved in at least eight formal complaints.

Mr Penman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What we need is for this inquiry to conclude as quickly as possible and for its protagonist, who has been reminded about confidentiality, to stop giving public comments.

“This demonstrates ably the issue of why the Prime Minister [Rishi Sunak] should have suspended Dominic Raab because, while these allegations are hanging over him, he is still serving as a minister.

“There are concerns about someone who potentially conducts themselves in that way still being in charge of civil servants.”

The floundering PM, who was recently forced to fire former Tory Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi over tax-dodging allegations, has so far resisted calls to suspend Mr Raab.

“The independent adviser is conducting his investigation and I can’t prejudge the outcome of that investigation,” Mr Sunak said earlier this week.

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