Dominic Raab facing two complaints over behaviour

Dominic Raab has revealed that two formal complaints have been made about his behaviour during previous stints as a cabinet minister.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has agreed with a request by the justice secretary and deputy PM for an independent inquiry into the complaints.

Mr Raab has faced a series of newspaper allegations he bullied officials in previous roles, which he has denied.

He added he would “co-operate fully” with any inquiry into his conduct.

In a letter to Mr Sunak, Mr Raab said the complaints related to his time as justice secretary and foreign secretary under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He added he had “never tolerated bullying” and had “always sought to reinforce and empower” civil servants.

Mr Raab’s letter came just hours before he was likely to face questions about his conduct whilst standing in for Mr Sunak at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Sources close to Mr Raab said the complaints had just been made. Mr Sunak said on Tuesday that he was unware of any formal complaints against his deputy PM.

In a letter, replying to Mr Raab, Mr Sunak said: “I know that you will be keen to address the complaints made against you and agree that proceeding in this way is the right course of action.”

However, he gave no details of when an investigation would begin or who would conduct it.

Such a probe would normally fall within the remit of the PM’s adviser on ministerial conduct, but the role has been vacant since the previous occupant Lord Geidt quit in June after conceding Mr Johnson may have broken ministerial rules.