LONDON — Rishi Sunak is “taking his time” as he pores over a report into the conduct of Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, the government’s transport secretary said.
In a round of interviews Friday morning, Mark Harper would not guarantee that the long-awaited report into bullying allegations will be published today.
In November, the prime minister tasked a top senior lawyer with investigating multiple allegations of bullying from Raab, who also serves as justice secretary.
After months of interviews and new complaints the lawyer, Adam Tolley, handed the report to the prime minister on Thursday morning. But Sunak is yet to publish the report or address its contents — leaving Raab’s fate in the balance.
The deputy PM, who denies the allegations, has promised to resign if the bullying claims are upheld.
The report is still expected to be published imminently, with a decision on whether Raab stays in government expected at the same time.
However, asked if the report would come today, the Transport Secretary Mark Harper offered no guarantees.
“[Sunak] is taking his time to consider the report,” Harper told Sky News.
“He’ll take that decision in the careful, meticulous way he reaches all his decisions,” he added. Harper did say Sunak would “want to reach a conclusion as quickly as he can.”
The delay in publication was slammed by Dave Penman, who leads the FDA civil service union.
“It just reinforces the point of what a farce this whole process is for those who raised complaints,” Penman told BBC Breakfast.
