Rishi Sunak was told about Dominic Raab’s “unacceptable behaviour” over the summer before he became prime minister and appointed the deputy PM to his cabinet role, a source has alleged to Sky News.
The source told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby that Mr Sunak was made aware of Mr Raab’s conduct but the PM was never “directly told” about specific issues.
Downing Street has said Number 10 officials never advised the PM against appointing Mr Raab.
Asked whether Mr Sunak was made aware of Mr Raab’s “unacceptable behaviour” last summer before he started appointing his top team, the PM’s press secretary said: “The PM was not aware of any formal complaints at the time of appointing Dominic Raab.”
The press secretary added that she “can’t comment on any private investigations that may or may not have happened” involving Mr Sunak.
Pressed further, she said: “I don’t know what your definition of informal complaints is. The PET (propriety and ethics team) processes are very clear.
“The appointments and usual processes were followed and we were not aware of any formal complaints.”
Mr Sunak has been urged to suspend the deputy prime minister while an investigation into bullying allegations is carried out.
The three permanent secretaries who led officials working under Mr Raab are thought to have given evidence to an inquiry into the deputy PM which is being led by senior lawyer Adam Tolley KC.
A total of eight formal complaints are believed to have been made.
Mr Raab has previously insisted he has “behaved professionally at all times” amid the allegations of bullying and intimidating behaviour.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer branded Mr Sunak “weak” for keeping Mr Raab in his role.
The deputy PM was sat next to Mr Sunak in the Commons.
Starmer asked the PM if he was “completely unaware of serious allegations of bullying” against the deputy PM before he appointed him.
Mr Sunak replied: “The honourable gentleman ask these questions about what was known and I followed due process, I appointed an independent adviser as soon as I was made aware of new information.”
Probing further, the Labour leader continued: “At the last count, the deputy prime minister was facing 24 separate allegations of bullying.
“According to recent reports, some of the complainants were physically sick. One says they were left suicidal.
“How would he feel if one of his friends or relatives was being forced to work for a bully, simply because the man at the top was too weak to do anything about it?”
The PM replied: “When I was made aware of formal complaints I instructed a leading independent KC to conduct an investigation because I take action when these things happen.”
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