Good evening. Dominic Raab warned that a “dangerous precedent” had been set in the report about bullying allegations, as he resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary. We have analysis of his resignation, and details of who will replace him in the Cabinet.
Bullying report sets 'dangerous precedent', warns Dominic Raab as he resigns
In a letter to Rishi Sunak, Dominic Raab said too low a bar had been set for what amounted to bullying. Mr Raab said the report by Adam Tolley KC, an independent barrister, showed that he never swore or shouted at anyone in his Cabinet roles and had dismissed all but two of the claims.
Mr Tolley’s report, published by Downing Street just after 11.30am, found that Mr Raab was “intimidating” and “aggressive” during his interactions with civil servants.
Gordon Rayner writes that the Prime Minister could rewrite the definition of bullying in Whitehall’s rulebook in wake of the report. Mr Raab's resignation was announced 24 hours after the Prime Minister received the report on Thursday morning.
Camilla Tominey writes that in dithering over the bullying case, Mr Sunak now looks flakier than a Mr Whippy.
And Tom Harris argues that bullying has become the latest political football. You can read the report in full here.
Raab: The people of Britain will pay the price for this Kafkaesque saga
Mr Raab has written an exclusive comment piece for The Telegraph, in which he argues that the bullying inquiry sets a precedent for officials to target ministers and will paralyse government.
He writes: "I was subject to trial by media for six months, fuelled by warped and fabricated accounts leaked by anonymous officials breaching the rules of the inquiry, the Civil Service Code of Conduct, or both."
Read Mr Raab's piece in full here.
A poll by our Community team reveals that the majority of Telegraph readers think Mr Raab was wrong to resign.
And Charles Hymas and Dominic Penna have a piece on nine key points from the final report.
Sunak allies replace Raab as Justice Secretary and Deputy PM
Mr Sunak has appointed Oliver Dowden as his new Deputy Prime Minister following the resignation of Mr Raab this morning.
Mr Dowden will continue in his role as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Downing Street said as it announced the move this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Alex Chalk, a defence minister and formerly the solicitor general, will replace Mr Raab as Justice Secretary and as Lord Chancellor.
Mr Dowden and Mr Chalk both played prominent roles in Mr Sunak's Tory leadership campaign last summer. You can follow the latest news from Westminster on our politics live blog.
Evening Briefing: Today's essential headlines
New photo of late Queen released | A new picture of the late Queen surrounded by some of her great-grandchildren at Balmoral has been released to celebrate what would have been her 97th birthday today. Click here to view the picture.
- Scotland | SNP support slumps to lowest level since independence referendum
- Transport | Net zero fuel failure triggers train chaos across South West
- Just Stop Oil | Protesters jailed for scaling Dartford Crossing bridge
- Julian Knight | Solihull MP to stand down at next election after police investigation
- Strikes | Postmen get 10pc pay rise as Royal Mail bows to CWU pressure
Comment and analysis
- Robert Clark | Bungling Putin can’t avoid bombing his own cities
- Kate Andrews | Britain needs its own version of Ron DeSantis’ war against the Fed
- Ben Marlow | Zuckerberg’s metaverse is shattering into a million pieces
- Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | The giant black cloud hanging over Europe’s economic recovery
- Matt Law | 'Greatest club in the world?' Daniel Levy has turned Spurs into a joke
World news: Why did Russia bomb itself?
The explanation from Moscow as to why one of its jets had just accidentally bombed a city inside Russia was, curiously for Putin’s administration, accurate and probably truthful, writes Dominic Nicholls. However, even admitting the event was an “abnormal descent of aviation ammunition” is unlikely to spare any blushes in the Russian Ministry of Defence - read the full piece here.
Interview of the day
Rodri: 'Win the treble? If we keep this level we will be unstoppable'
Exclusive: The midfielder reveals why Manchester City are ready to hunt down Arsenal if they buckle under the pressure
Business news: CBI fights for survival as firms quit over rape claims
The John Lewis Partnership has joined an exodus of big businesses leaving the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), amid fresh allegations of rape at the scandal-hit business organisation. Find out what other firms have quit the CBI on our business live blog.
Editor's choice
Danielle Epstein | ‘I loved my fiancé, but after his brain cancer diagnosis I knew I had to leave him’
Katie Morley Investigates | ‘My stepfather died 10 months ago and we’re still waiting for his £110k death payout’
Fashion | ‘Coastal grandad’ is a kindly approach to dressing that’s to be wholly encouraged
Sport news: Leah Williamson out of Women's World Cup
England captain Leah Williamson is to miss this summer's Women's World Cup, in a major blow to the Lionesses' chances of lifting their first world title. Tom Garry has more details on the injury that means she won't be able to take part in Australia and New Zealand.
Three things for you
- TV | Dead Ringers, Amazon Prime Video
- Food | ‘Their sourdough is a thing of rare beauty, fully worthy of a king’s table’
- Theatre | Ain’t Too Proud: the Temptations’ story told with little nuance but lots of heart
And finally... for this evening's downtime
The beautiful Italian city stuck in Milan’s shadow | This small, elegant hilltop city is the antithesis of its flashy, fashion-conscious neighbour – and is well worth lingering in.
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