Dominic Raab.Photo/CNBC
UK deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab on Friday resigned, following an inquiry into bullying allegations.
In a letter addressed to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and published on his Twitter account, Raab states he “called for the inquiry and undertook to resign, if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word.”
Sunak launched an independent investigation into Raab’s behavior in November, after eight formal complaints were lodged by at least 24 staff members during Raab’s time as justice minister, foreign minister and Brexit minister.
Sunak in a statement on Friday said that it was “with great sadness” that he had accepted Raab’s resignation, while noting “shortcomings in the historic process that have negatively affected everyone involved.”
Oliver Dowden will now become the new deputy prime minister with Alex Chalk the new justice secretary.
Raab’s resignation marks the third high-level minister to departure under Sunak’s watch amid allegations of misconduct.
Just weeks after he assumed the top job, close colleague and minister without portfolio Sir Gavin Williamson quit last November amid allegations of bullying.
While in January, Nadhim Zahawi was sacked as Conservative Party chairman after an inquiry found he had committed a “serious breach of the Ministerial Code.”
Writing by Tersoo Nicholas