Amidst charges of ministerial bullying, the union for senior civil workers has urged Rishi Sunak to revamp the ministry complaints procedure.
Dave Penman of the FDA stated in a letter that a more transparent and independent method is required to stop the “drip feed” of allegations regarding ministers’ conduct.
He did not mention Dominic Raab, but this comes after the justice secretary was accused of bullying.
The prime minister has stated that he is unaware of any official complaints lodged against his ministry.
A spokesperson for Mr. Raab emphasized that neither the justice secretary nor the deputy prime minister had been informed of any official complaints against him. Mr. Raab, he noted, “maintains the greatest standards of professionalism” and enjoys positive working relationships throughout Whitehall.
Mr. Penman, the general secretary of the FDA, asserts that there has been a rise in scrutiny over the behavior of ministers, in particular allegations of bullying.
“Given the experience of the past few years, it should come as no surprise that federal servants have little faith in the current system for handling bullying and harassment.
“Accusations are being made public at a later period, rather than being handled at the moment they are made.
It is evident from the testimony of our members that concerns have been expressed and are known inside the civil service, but there is little faith that a formal complaint would result in action.
He stated, “The outcome is a toxic work culture that will hinder the government’s capacity to provide good service to the public, ruin the careers and lives of individuals who are bullied or harassed, and ultimately throw a pall over the entire government.”
Mr. Penman encouraged the prime minister to replace Lord Geidt, who resigned in June, with an impartial adviser on ministers’ interests.
There is an established system for public officials to file complaints, and Mr. Sunak intends to designate a new adviser on ministerial standards, according to No. 10.
Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, stated, “The prime minister’s promise to appoint an ethics monitor has been broken for quite some time, leaving his claim to bring integrity to his government in tatters.
“Only weeks after he was installed as prime minister, his in-tray is already brimming with new allegations of government malfeasance.”
According to Bloomberg, Simon Case, the most senior civil worker, was informed of Mr. Raab’s alleged “abrasive behavior” during his prior tenure as a senior government official.
Lord Simon McDonald, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, told LBC that charges of bullying were “plausible” and described Mr. Raab as a “difficult employer.”
Sir Gavin Williamson was forced to resign as a government minister due to allegations of bullying. Sir Gavin stated that he “refuted” the characterization of his conduct and that he would clear himself of “any wrongdoing.” Mr. Raab’s conduct is being questioned less than a week after Sir Gavin Williamson was forced to resign over similar allegations.
