Tory Dominic Raab accused of ‘belittling’ officials in yet more bullying claims

“Seething” Dominic Raab faces yet more bullying claims as he was accused of “belittling” officials.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary is being investigated by top KC Adam Tolley over claims that he targeted staff, which he denies.

A former Whitehall worker, described as “an ex-senior civil servant”, piled pressure on the one-time Tory leadership hopeful.

Revealing how he felt during meetings with Mr Raab, the ex-staffer told BBC Newsnight: “I found his behaviour offensive and there were times when, despite being an experienced official, I struggled to present the evidence and advice as effectively as I would have liked.

“His behaviour was nasty and difficult, using demeaning tactics to make himself the most powerful person in the room.

“I saw him seething at other senior people, hard staring at you like cold fury – it was pretty sinister, and raising his voice.”

The ex-official claimed there was “no doubt” Mr Raab’s conduct amounted to “bullying”, saying: “This was somebody who didn’t make you feel safe in the room – not physical, just intimidating.

“He would cut people short, telling them to stop talking.

“If he didn’t like what someone was saying he would tell them to stop, then turn to another person and say, ‘I don’t understand a word of what X is saying, can you explain this?’”

The accuser admitted he did not “recall swearing” by Mr Raab, telling the BBC: “It was never physical; lots of it was what I would describe as micro-aggressions.

“He would effectively belittle the very senior, very experienced and pretty robust people as a power play rather than for any good reason.”

He added that when Mr Raab was replaced as Justice Secretary over the summer by Brandon Lewis, “people talked about getting over post-traumatic stress disorder”.

“People felt able to do their work properly after he left,” added the source.

Mr Raab was reappointed to the MoJ after just 49 days when Rishi Sunak replaced Liz Truss as Prime Minister.

Mr Raab has denied all claims of bullying.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “There is zero tolerance for bullying across the civil service.

“The Deputy Prime Minister leads a professional department, driving forward major reforms, where civil servants are valued and the level of ambition is high.

“There is an independent investigation under way and it would be inappropriate to comment further on issues relating to it until it is completed.”