United Kingdom: accused of harassment, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigns

Dominic Raab, in London, August 19, 2021 (illustration image). REUTERS - HANNAH MCKAY

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On Friday, April 21, British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab announced his resignation after an independent report established that he had morally harassed civil servants, a setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of whom he was a close ally.

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I am writing to you to resign from your government " wrote Dominic Raab, also Minister of Justice, in a letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. "I had called for this investigation and pledged to resign if it established harassment of any kind. I think it's important to keep my word," he wrote.

Eight complaints

This investigation was launched following eight complaints about his behaviour when he was Foreign Secretary, Brexit Minister or during a previous stint at the Ministry of Justice. Dominic Raab has always denied these accusations that have poisoned the government for months and have raised many criticisms from the opposition.

This report submitted Thursday to the Prime Minister and not yet made public, "rejected all the complaints, except two," says the minister in his letter, continuing to judge them "false". The findings of the investigation "set a dangerous precedent for government conduct," he said.

Third Minister

Also on Thursday, Downing Street showed its "total confidence" in its Deputy Prime Minister, while saying "carefully studying the conclusions of the report". He is the third minister to leave Rishi Sunak's government after various accusations, adding a new stain on the prime minister's promise to show "integrity, professionalism and responsibility" in power after the succession of scandals under Boris Johnson.

In November 2022, Gavin Williamson, a minister without portfolio in Rishi Sunak's government, resigned after accusations of harassment. And in January 2023, Rishi Sunak had to dismiss the chairman of the conservative party Nadhim Zahawi, who sat in this capacity in the Council of Ministers, for tax disputes.

(

With AFP)

► READ ALSO: United Kingdom: Sunak under investigation over his declaration of interests

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  • United Kingdom
  • Rishi Sunak
  • Society
  • Justice