Mailwatch(ed) Forum

This suggests what’s about to come out is as indefensible as expected.

Might also make a few other bullies like Braverman and Patel sweat. Good.

As mealy mouthed and I’m the victim as you would expect

Here is the full text of Dominic Raab’s resignation letter.

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing to resign from your government, following receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC. I 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.

It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked.

Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me. I also believe that its two adverse findings are flawed and set a dangerous precedent for the conduct of good government. First, Ministers must be able to exercise direct oversight with respect to senior officials over critical negotiations conducted on behalf of the British people, otherwise the democratic and constitutional principle of Ministerial responsibility will be lost. This was particularly true during my time as Foreign Secretary, in the context of the Brexit negotiations over Gibraltar, when a senior diplomat breached the mandate agreed by Cabinet.

Second, Ministers must be able to give direct critical feedback on briefings and submissions to senior officials, in order to set the standards and drive the reform the public expect of us. Of course, this must be done within reasonable bounds. Mr Tolley concluded that I had not once, in four and a half years, sworn or shouted at anyone, let alone thrown anything or otherwise physically intimidated anyone, nor intentionally sought to belittle anyone. I am genuinely sorry for any unintended stress or offence that any officials felt, as a result of the pace, standards and challenge that I brought to the Ministry of Justice. That is, however, what the public expect of Ministers working on their behalf

In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against Ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving changen on behalf of your government – and ultimately the British people.

Finally, I raised with you a number of improprieties that came to light during the course of this inquiry. They include the systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media in breach of the rules of the inquiry and the Civil Service Code of Conduct, and the coercive removal by a senior official of dedicated Private Secretaries from my Ministry of Justice Private Office, in October of last year. I hope these will be independently reviewed.

I remain as supportive of you and this government, as when I first introduced you at your campaign leadership launch last July. You have proved a great Prime Minister in very challenging times, and you can count on my support from the backbenches.

Whilst I feel duty bound to accept the outcome of the inquiry, it dismissed all but two of the claims levelled against me.

Or as anyone else would say, enough evidence was found to conclusively show I behaved wholly inappropriately on 2 occasions.

I’m the real victim, a bully writes

Yeah Fred, you're going down for not paying VAT on the cement.

I swear, if I ever become king of the world (there's still time!) on day one I'll ban the phrase "chilling effect" unless referring to sciencey stuff.

Youngian wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:40 am I’m the real victim, a bully writes

What an incredibly weak man Raab is and how pathetic that Sunak was too scared to sack him.

That letter shows what a nice, genuine person he is and I am completely convinced he is not a bully and that the 30% of all civil servants who worked under him and reported bullying were all utter liars. Absolutely convinced I am. Totally. He doesn't come across as a complete twat in that letter at all, no sirrreeee.

Throughout this morning MrsA and I (both having serious reputations in our professional lives for dealing with bullies) have been looking at each other as each new statement is made, and remarking that this is the sort of behaviour we have seen so many times from 'caught' bullies. He hasn't used the 'I was only joking, you can't take a joke' defence yet, but the 'I have high standards and expect them of others' is the grown-up version.

Bang to rights.

As ever, plenty of successful managers and leaders have high standards but aren't dicks about it.

On another score, he doesn't seem to have been very successful in translating those high standards into departmental performance. Meaning he was a bit shit as well.

He was, of course, singing from the world's shittiest hymn sheet.

Raab's resignation letter précised:

That didn't happen.
And if it did, it wasn't that bad.
And if it was, that's not a big deal.
And if it is, that's not my fault.
And if it was, I didn't mean it.
And if I did, you deserved it.

(The Narcissist's Prayer, Dayna Craig)

Weaselly, malevolent, twisted little shite that he is. “Setting the threshold for bullying so low” . What fucking threshold ? There is no “threshold” . There is bullying, and there’s not bullying. That’s it. And he has been found to be guilty of bullying. Fuck you and your “threshold” Raab, you absolute cunt.

Raab's none apology is just another example of the Tory's shouting at everyone outside of their own circle jerk that "we're going to make you eat shit, and you're going to enjoy it!"

The spinning of Raab as stitched up by the wokerati has begun:

She’s clearly not seen Raab’s interview on BBC this afternoon; which leads me to….why the fuck were the BBC allowing him to spew his self pity unanswered

In many ways Raab seems to have got off quite lightly, the person conducting the inquiry only seems to have formally interviewed 8 of the 24 people who made complaints about him. I know for a fact that the person who accused him of throwing things gave a written statement but was never formally interviewed yet Raab is claiming that he was cleared of throwing things at staff.

Crucially, this was not brought by a bunch of teenagers in NMW jobs, but by trained and experienced professional people who have worked with all manner of ministers. People who know that Whitehall is a hothouse, and understand what pressure they're under. This was not brought about lightly.

Watchman wrote:She’s clearly not seen Raab’s interview on BBC this afternoon; which leads me to….why the fuck were the BBC allowing him to spew his self pity unanswered

That BBC interview is even worse than the letter. The horrible, nasty bastard.