Dominic Raab: Second senior civil servant gives evidence to bullying probe

Another elder civilian servant who worked with Dominic Raab has fixed grounds arsenic a witnesser to the enquiry into his behaviour.

Both individuals ran authorities departments successful which Mr Raab was a minister.

The probe is looking astatine complaints of bullying by Mr Raab successful respective ministerial roles.

Mr Raab, who is presently lawman premier curate and justness secretary, has denied allegations of bullying.

Senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC was asked to motorboat the probe successful November.

On Monday, the BBC reported that astatine slightest 1 imperishable caput who worked with Mr Raab had fixed grounds to the inquiry.

Now the BBC has learned different imperishable caput has besides provided grounds arsenic a witness.

Permanent secretaries are the UK's astir elder civilian servants who tally authorities departments.

Mr Raab is facing aggregate complaints from civilian servants, who worked with him erstwhile helium was overseas secretary, Brexit caput and justness secretary.

It is understood Mr Raab has had an archetypal gathering with Mr Tolley but has not yet sat down with him for a important speech astir the allegations against him.

Mr Tolley's study is not expected to beryllium completed for respective weeks.

Privately, galore Conservative MPs, including ministers, fearfulness the allegations could yet outgo Mr Raab his job.

One curate told the BBC "he should person gone ages ago", describing the concern arsenic a "ticking timebomb", adding that Mr Raab was "totally unsuitable for precocious office".

Someone other who worked with Mr Raab said his behaviour was "arbitrary, pernickety" and helium was "very hard connected inferior staff" and "extremely hard to enactment with".

But 1 erstwhile elder civilian servant who worked with Mr Raab said: "He was precise nonrecreational to me."

He described Mr Raab arsenic "incredibly hard working" and "very demanding".

"Being connected the extremity of his expectations wouldn't beryllium bully if you're not prepared for it. It's tough. There's perfectionism there," helium added.

"He had a presumption however helium wanted things done. He expected transportation but doesn't recognize however to get it done."

Labour and the Liberal Democrats person called connected Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to suspend Mr Raab portion helium is nether investigation.

But Mr Sunak has said helium volition hold for the result of Mr Tolley's enquiry earlier taking immoderate action.

Former Conservative furniture curate Jacob Rees-Mogg said it was "completely sensible" for Mr Raab to stay successful station portion the probe is ongoing.

Asked astir the allegations against the lawman premier minister, Mr Rees-Mogg told Sky News: "I deliberation we've got to beryllium somewhat cautious astir the bullying allegations.

"We mustn't beryllium excessively snowflakey astir it. People request to beryllium capable to accidental this occupation has not been done good capable and needs to beryllium done better."

The comments were described arsenic "outrageous" by the FDA union, which represents civilian servants.

The union's wide secretary, Dave Penman, accused Mr Rees-Mogg of "trivialising bullying that we cognize has ruined lives and careers".

Labour said Mr Rees-Mogg was "seeking to belittle the superior claims of bullying and intimidation" made against Mr Raab and "he should beryllium ashamed of himself".

Mr Raab was justness caput and lawman premier curate successful Boris Johnson's government.

He was sacked by Liz Truss, who concisely replaced Mr Johnson astatine No 10, but was reappointed to these roles by her successor Mr Sunak.

Mr Raab antecedently served successful the furniture arsenic overseas caput from 2020-21 and Brexit caput successful 2018.

Last week, Mr Raab told the BBC: "I'm assured I behaved professionally throughout, and of people the authorities takes a zero-tolerance attack to bullying."

Mr Raab added that helium was "always mindful of the mode I behave" but made "no apologies for having precocious standards".