a report on his workplace bullying unleashes the ‘tory’ crisis

It was an open secret. for five months, more and more arguments enlarged the ball of rumors. Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of Justice of the United Kingdom, would have allegedly committed workplace harassment against several employees from three different departments. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had kept the matter on the back burner until the report with the results of the inquiry finally reached Downing Street on Thursday.

24 hours later, Sunak continues to delay the publication of the report while he debates between keeping Raab, his main ally in the Government, or dismissing him, which would entail a restructuring that would affect more ministries.

Research adam tolleyHowever, it is not clear on whether Raab violated the ministry’s code of conduct. The allegations are clear: the deputy prime minister is accused of intimidating staff. Testimonials are also plentiful. However, the report is not conclusive enough to force Sunak to carry out his verdictleaving the final decision, therefore, in the hands of the prime minister.

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Dominic Raab, for his part, keep fighting to save your head anyway. He has also had access to the report and considers that the supposed “scorching evidence” is not enough to burn, so They don’t mean you should resign. Despite everything, he has yet to receive a call from his friend Rishi Sunak to discuss the matter directly with him.

A Downing Street spokesman said the prime minister had received the report and was “considering the findings”. Another government official said later that the report would not be released until Sunak has thoroughly reviewed it. That is, until he has made up his mind.

on the tightrope

Sunak himself was the one who, upon taking office, He promised that he would form an “integral, professional and responsible” government.. That is to say, opposed to the scandals that had starred in the period of Boris Johnson or the chaotic economic policies that ended with Liz Truss.

However, in November, just a month after becoming prime minister, formal complaints against Raab began. He said he had behaved professionally at all times, while Sunak initially defended his deputy saying that he was not aware that such actions had taken place.

Convinced of his innocence, he himself it was Raab himself who requested the revision of his behavior. Sunak appointed lawyer Adam Tolley to lead an independent investigation. Just released the position, Sunak could not afford any more slips.

That same month another of his main ministers, Gavin Williamson, had also resigned accused of intimidating his collaborators in the Ministry of Education. And, in January, Sunak fired the chairman of the Conservative Party Nadhim Zahawi for infringing tax rules.

On the other hand, Sunak is already facing his own investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog on whether it correctly declared the his wife’s shareholding in a day care center that will benefit from the new government policy.

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The dismissal of Raab puts Sunak in a complex situation, since it would be his third trusted man fallen from grace in just six months since he announced a scandal-free government. A descent into disrepute. Raab has vowed to resign if the allegations are confirmed.

pressures to act

Time is pressing for Sunak. Opposition Liberal Democrats are accusing him of “hesitate” and “delay” the publication of the report. The Cabinet of the Presidency advised that it would issue an announcement on Thursday afternoon, but later canceled said announcement.

“Any hope I had that justice could be served has been dashed.“said a whistleblower. Raab’s alleged victims have spoken to express a suspicion terrifying to them: that Sunak fails to reach an imminent conclusion and Raab remains in office.

A good part of the conservatives would see this option well, since the dismissal of such an important figure in the Government I would open the box of thunder and it would raise the risk that the tense peace that the party enjoyed could end up exploding.

“Is immensely disappointing that, at this late stage of the investigation, the process is still dragging on. The political maneuver on the well-being of public services continues to be prioritized. Right now Sunak needs to send a strong and clear message about decency and the government’s standards of behaviour. If Raab can hold out, my colleagues and I will feel that we have been completely deceived“Said another of the officials who denounced.

Sunak must deal with evidence that the ministerial code has been breached, which clearly states that “Harassment or other inappropriate or discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated“, with the pressures of his party.

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The longer it takes, Sunak’s leadership cracks. Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labor Party, has said that these events reveal a prime minister too focused on his own political situation rather than addressing the problems of citizens.

“While Sunak hesitates and lingerstrying to muster the guts to fire his own deputyworkers are battling the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation: food bills and mortgage rates are rising, wages are stagnating, and too many of us are carrying waiting years for medical treatmentRayner said.

The own ‘tories’ are expressing their doubts about the proceeding of their leader. “Is it so difficult to make a decision?”they wonder. Some are calling for Raab to help the prime minister by himself taking the step to resign. However, Sunak’s image is weakened on all fronts: “A prime minister It shouldn’t be so hard for you to do what’s necessary.“.