Raab: Sunak must withdraw Conservative Whip

The Liberal Democrats have written to Rishi Sunak calling on him to withdraw the Conservative whip from Dominic Raab.

In a letter to Sunak, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said that Raab has shown he is not fit to represent his constituents, and called for the Conservative whip to be withdrawn if he refuses to resign as an MP.

It comes after Dominic Raab resigned from his Cabinet position and showed little remorse in his Telegraph column following publication of the Tolley report that upheld bullying allegations.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Now that bullying allegations against Dominic Raab have been upheld, it is clear that he is simply not fit to represent his constituents in Parliament.

“If Raab refuses to stand down as an MP, Rishi Sunak surely has no choice but to withdraw the Conservative whip. 

“Allowing Raab to stay sends a message that this inexcusable bullying behaviour is okay for an MP. Sunak must act swiftly if he’s serious about restoring integrity to this sleaze-ridden Conservative government.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Dominic Raab’s piece in the Telegraph

The letter to Rishi Sunak can be found below.

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP,

Prime Minister,

Downing Street,

London,

SW1A 0AA

Dear Prime Minister,

In your first speech as Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street, you pledged to lead a government with “integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.” This promise has not been met, with a series of scandals taking place at the very top of government.

While it is right that Dominic Raab has resigned from Cabinet, Mr Raab not only repeatedly breached the Ministerial Code through his intimidating behaviour, he showed very little remorse in his written piece for The Telegraph.

His behaviour was inexcusable and serious questions remain about how it is possible he was appointed to several senior government roles by successive Prime Ministers, including yourself.

The publication of the Tolley Report today shows he is not only unfit to serve in the Cabinet, but unfit to serve his constituents in Parliament.

If Mr Raab refuses to do the right thing and stand down as an MP, I urge you to withdraw the Conservative whip from him. This would send a powerful message that this sort of behaviour is unacceptable, and that you are serious about restoring integrity to this government.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Davey,

Leader of the Liberal Democrats