[ad_1]
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab should be suspended while he is investigated over bullying allegations, a former Conservative chairman has said.
Mr Raab, who is also the justice secretary, is the subject of an inquiry after several civil servants made complaints, which Sir Jake Berry believes is enough for him to step aside from his ministerial roles.
Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir Jake, who was succeeded as Tory Party chair by the recently sacked Nadhim Zahawi, said the former foreign secretary should be “treated like anyone else is in their workplace”.
Politics Hub: Fresh questions over Raab allegations
Speaking to The Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar on BBC Radio 4’s Week in Westminster programme, Mr Berry said: “The way these sorts of complaints would be dealt with in the private sector is you would be suspended while they were investigated.”
Mr Raab submitted himself to the investigation, but denies the claims against him.
Read more:
Everything you need to know about Raab bullying claims
Lack of suspension looks ‘bizarre’
Calling for an update to the ministerial code, Mr Berry said that it would be “very bizarre” if someone in a different industry was not suspended pending investigation.
While Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to suspend his number two, there is currently no formal mechanism allowing ministers to be suspended during inquiries.
“I think that would be a big help to the prime minister if he had that additional tool in his box,” Mr Berry said.
However, even under the current rules, Mr Raab could be sacked on the understanding he is brought back if he is cleared of misconduct by lawyer Adam Tolley, who is leading the investigation.
Click to subscribe to Beth Rigby Interviews… wherever you get your…
[ad_2]
