British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab announced his resignation on Friday. He is accused of sexual assault
UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned on Friday (21/4) after an independent report found he had engaged in bullying of staff. The government’s resignation is seen as a significant setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with whom Raab was a close ally.
The minister shared the resignation letter on social media. Before assuming the role of Deputy Head of Government, he commanded the Ministry of Justice. At the time he described a “culture of fear” in the “misguided” and “aggressive” man-run service where members of his cabinet behaved in a “disgraceful” manner.
In the resignation letter, the former minister wrote that he demanded an inquiry and promised to resign if “whatever the facts of harassment are, it is confirmed.” I think it’s important to honor my word,” he wrote.
The former minister also criticized the inquiry’s criteria, saying that “by establishing such a low threshold for harassment, the inquiry sets a dangerous precedent in the work of government”.
He also argued that “ministers can directly criticize” the work of senior officials, but conceded that “it is clear that this must be done within reasonable limits”.
See:
My resignation letter. 👇 pic.twitter.com/DLjBfChlFq
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) April 21, 2023
complaints
The inquiry began after eight complaints about his conduct when he was foreign secretary, Brexit minister and previously at the Ministry of Justice.
In November last year, British media reported that several former cabinet officials were considering resigning following the announcement of the minister’s return.
Raab has consistently denied the allegations, which have drawn widespread criticism from the opposition.
The report, which was given to the Prime Minister on Thursday and has not yet been made public, “rejects all but two of the complaints,” the minister said in his letter, stressing that he still considers them “false.”
According to The Guardian, ministry officials said Liz Truss’s return after her quick tenure would hurt many. Some thought of resigning.
A report by The Sun tabloid also revealed that Rob threw tomatoes at a wall in a fit of rage during a meeting.
Government losses
Raab is the third minister to quit the Sunak government after a series of allegations against senior members of the British government.
The subsequent allegations have overshadowed a promise by the conservative prime minister, who led a wave of resignations during Boris Johnson’s administration and, once in office, to show a little more “integrity, professionalism and responsibility” in power.
