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Dominic Raab bullying report: Key findings at a glance Dominic Raab bullying report: Key findings at a glance
(about 3 hours later)
The report found that Mr Raab had acted in an "intimidating" way during his time as foreign secretaryThe report found that Mr Raab had acted in an "intimidating" way during his time as foreign secretary
Dominic Raab has resigned as justice secretary and deputy prime minister after an investigation upheld some bullying allegations against him.Dominic Raab has resigned as justice secretary and deputy prime minister after an investigation upheld some bullying allegations against him.
The inquiry looked at eight formal complaints covering Mr Raab's time as Brexit secretary under Theresa May, and as justice secretary and foreign secretary under Boris Johnson.The inquiry looked at eight formal complaints covering Mr Raab's time as Brexit secretary under Theresa May, and as justice secretary and foreign secretary under Boris Johnson.
In his resignation letter, Mr Raab said the inquiry "dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me", adding that "in setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent". INQUIRY'S REMIT: As an independent investigator barrister Adam Tolley KC was asked by the prime minister to investigate the complaints, involving 24 people.
Here are some of the key findings from the report: FINDINGS: Mr Tolley KC found a description of bullying had been met, whilst Mr Raab was foreign secretary and justice secretary.
But, in relation to complaints from his time as justice secretary, Mr Tolley concluded Mr Raab "did not intend by the conduct described to upset or humiliate", nor did he "target anyone for a specific type of treatment".
RAAB'S RESPONSE: In a resignation letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, he said he was "genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt".
But Mr Raab said the inquiry "dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me", adding that "in setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent".
Key report details
Raab was 'persistently aggressive' in meetingRaab was 'persistently aggressive' in meeting
The report looked at Mr Raab's time as foreign secretary - a position he held from 2019 to 2021. One complaint highlighted in the report centred around allegations that Mr Raab acted "in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive" during a work meeting while foreign secretary.
One complaint is centred around Mr Raab's response to a work project undertaken by civil servants.
The report concluded that during a work meeting Mr Raab acted "in a way which was intimidating, in the sense of unreasonably and persistently aggressive".
"His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates," the report added."His conduct also involved an abuse or misuse of power in a way that undermines or humiliates," the report added.
The report said Mr Raab went "beyond what was reasonably necessary in order to give effect to his decision and introduced a punitive element".The report said Mr Raab went "beyond what was reasonably necessary in order to give effect to his decision and introduced a punitive element".
Raab described work as 'useless and woeful'Raab described work as 'useless and woeful'
As justice secretary, Mr Raab acted in an "intimidating" manner when delivering critical feedback on work on a number of occasions, the report found.As justice secretary, Mr Raab acted in an "intimidating" manner when delivering critical feedback on work on a number of occasions, the report found.
The report cites one example where Mr Raab described some work as "utterly useless" and "woeful".The report cites one example where Mr Raab described some work as "utterly useless" and "woeful".
"He complained about the absence of what he referred to as 'basic information' or 'the basics', about 'obstructiveness' on the part of officials whom he perceived to be resistant to his policies," the report said.
The report concluded that his conduct was "abrasive" on some occasions which "feels intimidating or insulting to the individual but is not intended to be so".The report concluded that his conduct was "abrasive" on some occasions which "feels intimidating or insulting to the individual but is not intended to be so".
His conduct was not "abusive" and behaviour was not "intended and specifically targeted", it added.His conduct was not "abusive" and behaviour was not "intended and specifically targeted", it added.
No evidence of misuse of power as Brexit secretaryNo evidence of misuse of power as Brexit secretary
The report found no evidence to suggest any abuse or misuse of power following a complaint made about his time as Brexit secretary. The report found no evidence to suggest any abuse or misuse of power following a complaint made about his time as Brexit secretary in 2018.
"The deputy prime minister's conduct cannot be characterised as offensive, malicious or insulting," the report said."The deputy prime minister's conduct cannot be characterised as offensive, malicious or insulting," the report said.
"It was experienced as intimidating, in the sense of excessively demanding. I could not make a finding as to whether it was in fact intimidating in this sense. "It was experienced as intimidating, in the sense of excessively demanding. I could not make a finding as to whether it was in fact intimidating in this sense.
"He did not know and could not reasonably have been aware of what is said to have been the impact of his conduct on certain individuals." Raab's gestures not intended to be threatening
It was claimed Mr Raab extended his hand "directly out towards another person's face with a view to making them stop talking". Loud banging on a table and finger-pointing were also among the complaints.
Mr Tolley KC concluded there was "significant scope for misunderstanding" over the physical gestures and he was not convinced Mr Raab used them in a threatening way.
No shouting and swearing
The report found there was no "persuasive evidence" the minister shouted at individuals.
"I also conclude that he did not swear at any individuals or swear more generally," it added.
Disciplinary threat was 'intimidating'
Mr Raab whilst at the Foreign Office, was said to have suggested those involved in a project had breached the Civil Service Code, so would have been in breach of their employment contracts.
Senior diplomat Sir Philip Barton told the investigation he had an informal meeting that he should threaten staff with the code.
The report found it had a "significant adverse effect" on a particular individual and Mr Raab's conduct was "a form of intimidating behaviour".
Mr Tolley concluded he did not intend to threaten anyone with disciplinary action, but should have known how his comments would be interpreted.
What else did the report find?What else did the report find?
Mr Raab's style was, in his own words, "inquisitorial, direct, impatient and fastidious"Mr Raab's style was, in his own words, "inquisitorial, direct, impatient and fastidious"
He is said to have worked long hours - from about 0730 until about 2200, Monday to Thursday, with constituency work on Fridays and regular weekend workHe is said to have worked long hours - from about 0730 until about 2200, Monday to Thursday, with constituency work on Fridays and regular weekend work
There are examples of physical gestures Mr Raab is said to have used in interactions with staff
He is said to have extended his hand directly out to another person's face to indicate to them to stop speaking
He is also alleged to have banged loudly on a table to make a point
These types of gestures were not used in a threatening way, but those "unused to this style" might have found it "disconcerting"
There was no persuasive evidence that Mr Raab shouted at individuals or ever lost control
Mr Raab never labelled his accusers as "snowflakes", the report saidMr Raab never labelled his accusers as "snowflakes", the report said
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