As an investigation into allegations of abuse nears its conclusion, former colleagues of Dominic Raab spoke about their time spent working with him.
Adam Tolley KC, a senior attorney, is directing the investigation into the allegations against Mr. Raab.
Dozens of individuals, including Mr. Raab, have now provided testimony to the investigation.
The deputy prime minister and minister of justice have categorically denied intimidation.
In a sign that the investigation is nearing its conclusion, Mr. Raab’s testimony is currently being compared to that of other witnesses.
Mr. Tolley has been interviewing individuals to gather evidence, both positive and negative, with some interviews lasting more than two hours each.
His investigation is expected to conclude shortly and was commissioned to establish the facts. The prime minister will then decide whether Mr. Raab violated ministerial norms against bullying based on his findings.
At least 24 complainants are involved in the eight formal complaints the inquiry is looking into regarding Mr. Raab’s tenure at three government departments.
The complaints concern Mr. Raab’s tenures as justice secretary and foreign secretary under Boris Johnson and as Brexit secretary under Theresa May.
Numerous more individuals have testified as witnesses for the investigation.
To protect their employees, they desired anonymity.
A senior department official who advised Mr. Raab stated, “I did not personally feel intimidated. However, I did observe what I would describe as harassing behavior. There is no question in my mind about that.”
They stated that he “expect[ed] high standards from individuals,” but that he was “fairly condescending in his approach to achieving those standards.”
“And he would frequently humiliate members of his private office and/or others working with him,” they said.
“With the flip of a switch, he could become extremely furious and quite offensive in his communication with others.”
‘Belittling’
His conduct did not just impact colleagues, but taxpayers too, they say.
“Junior officials were shielded from his cruelty, humiliation, and demeaning, and therefore they were not invited to meetings with him.
“As a result, he presumably accomplished something that no minister or secretary of state should attempt, namely silencing those who are tasked with advising him. If you do not treat individuals with humanity, fairness, and respect, you will not receive quality results.”
One of Mr. Raab’s former aides in the House of Representatives asserts that he was not a tyrant, but that the accounts of his behavior are consistent with what they observed.
“On a handful of occasions, I witnessed him make a staff member weep because he was unhappy with their work. That was probably one of the factors that made me feel the most uneasy,” they said.
“I believe that if a colleague cries and then returns to their desk while still fretting, and this occurs more than once. Then I believe that everyone should recognize that someone has been wounded by that interaction.”
If a member of his staff turned in work that he didn’t feel was up to par, he would rip it to shreds – sometimes literally. I did notice that” they continued.
“The intensity of the task was the reason I left. I have both professional and emotional thinking.”
Mr. Raab’s office put us in touch with a second parliamentary staffer who was upbeat about him.
A different official who has testified at the inquiry and worked with Mr. Raab in multiple departments stated that they had “never seen him swear or elevate his voice” even in the most difficult situations.
He was always very focused on his job, but always extremely nice, more perceptive than you’d realize,” they said.
On receiving the news of the investigation, they stated, “I was saddened because everyone’s experience is different. And it had no correlation whatsoever with my own experience… Because he is a perfectionist and will go above and beyond to deliver for a department he wants to change. I believe people would concede that he is a laborious worker.
Mr. Raab’s actions appear to have had varying effects on various individuals. At times, descriptions of his behavior that are similar are characterized in vastly different ways. This is the challenge for the attorney conducting the investigation.
The investigation report will be made public. Mr. Raab has said he’ll resign if it’s found he was a tyrant. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will decide.
He assured that he was not a tyrant and “conducted himself professionally throughout.”
His spokesperson has stated that Mr. Raab has been “very clear that he has always acted with professionalism and integrity, that he has never shouted or sworn, that he has enjoyed strong working relationships with a variety of fantastic civil servants, and that he will address all allegations made against him in the fair and formal setting of the independent inquiry that he called for.
