Raab emails: Lib Dems write to Cabinet Secretary demanding investigation 

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Cabinet Secretary asking for an investigation into reports that Dominic Raab has been using his personal email for Government business.  

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain, who wrote the letter, commented:

"The public deserve answers, not more cover-ups.

"The drumbeat of allegations against Dominic Raab is relentless.  From reports of bullying to allegations he has followed in the footsteps of Suella Braverman by using his personal email for government business, it is obvious that investigations are needed.

"The Deputy Prime Minister cannot be relaxed about national security, especially at a time when Britain's enemies are stepping up their cyber attacks. It is only right and proper the Cabinet Office investigate these reports and determine immediately if overseas enemies could have seen national secrets sent by Dominic Raab."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Full copy of the the letter: 

Dear Cabinet Secretary,

I am writing regarding the conduct of the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab.

The BBC has reported that, in addition to the many bullying allegations against him, Mr Raab used his personal email account for government business at two departments, despite multiple warnings from officials not to do so.

As you know, the use of private email for government business has serious potential implications for both national security and the rule of law. The Cabinet Office’s guidance on the use of private email states that:

“Government information must be handled in accordance with the requirements of the law, including the Official Secrets Act, Freedom Of Information Act (FoIA), Data Protection Act and Public Records Act.”

I therefore urge you to open an investigation into the Deputy Prime Minister’s use of private email for government business, in his current role or previous ministerial posts, to establish whether at any time he breached any of these legal requirements or jeopardised national security in any way.

Given that Mr Raab is not the only serving member of the Cabinet to have been reported to do this, I would also suggest that you open a wider investigation into the culture of Ministers using personal email for government business, to identify if anyone else is breaching any laws or government guidance.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Wendy Chamberlain MP