According to officials who worked with Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, Dominic Raab repeatedly “ruined” the lives of junior officials and “created a terrible atmosphere to work in.”
A source within the civil service said sky news Mr. Raab’s actions were largely about dealing with junior staff, he said, adapting his behavior “according to the person.”
A source who worked with Raab said:
Another source said the deputy prime minister had “instilled fear of God” in junior officials and officials were “tensioned” to attend meetings with the deputy prime minister.
“It wasn’t a good place,” they added.
Senior civil servants are reportedly trying to place more senior officials in Mr. Raab’s private office to add cushion and a “bit of protection” to the young and inexperienced employees.
Another source said Raab’s behavior was “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
“The way he treats people, disrespecting people, interrogating people, ignoring people… He created a terrible atmosphere. It was an intimidating act. It was running, but they didn’t want to complain, they took it as professional pride and just wanted to deal with it.”
Other staff said Raab was anxious about commuting because he wanted to be available on the phone at all times.
A formal investigation into allegations of bullying against Mr. Raab began earlier this year, with more than a dozen people, including Mr. Raab, providing evidence. Although he strongly denies bullying, he says he will resign if any of the allegations are upheld.
Adam Tolley KC was charged with investigating the allegations, but it is up to the Prime Minister to decide whether Raab will be sanctioned.
Some Conservatives have already called for Mr Raab’s resignation as the investigation is nearing its end, while others who worked with him have tweeted in his defense.
Maidstone and The Weald MP Helen Grant worked with Mr. Raab at the Foreign Office. she wrote: Dominic has zero tolerance for bullying. ”
Mr Raab’s former secretary, Eddie Hughes, said Mr Raab was “demanding” and “extremely hardworking, and I expect others to be too”, but added that “he’s a home and I have never seen him disrespect anyone in the Ministry of Communities and Local Government or the government.” European Union Office for Withdrawal”.
A spokeswoman for Raab declined to comment further.
