Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is being investigated over a further five complaints from his time at the Ministry of Justice.
Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said the prime minister has asked the senior lawyer conducting a bullying inquiry to look into the additional allegations.
Adam Tolley KC is now investigating eight complaints made against Mr Raab.
The latest relates to his time at the Ministry of Justice, where he is still justice secretary after being reappointed by Rishi Sunak in October. He previously held the post under Boris Johnson.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman declined to discuss which period at the department the new allegations relate to.
“I can confirm that the prime minister has now asked the investigator to include five further formal complaints relating to conduct at the Ministry of Justice as part of the ongoing investigation and in line with the existing terms of reference,” the official said.
Asked how Mr Raab could remain in his roles following the allegations, the spokesman said: “We think it’s right there is an independent process, that the investigator looks into these claims thoroughly before coming to a view.”
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He would not say when the investigation will be concluded, but said it is hoped it will be finished “swiftly”.
The three complaints already under investigation relate to Mr Raab’s time as foreign secretary (2019-2021), Brexit secretary (July-November 2018) and justice secretary.
When the first two were made, he referred himself to an independent inquiry.
After Mr Sunak reappointed Mr Raab as justice secretary, around 15 senior civil servants were offered “respite or a route out” due to concerns some were still traumatised from working for him, The Guardian reported.
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What has led to the deputy PM being investigated?
Raab denies bullying claims
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Multiple sources said he created a “culture of fear” in the department and accused him of being a “bully”.
When the first allegations were made, Mr Raab said: “I have behaved professionally at all times.
“And I am the one that when the complaint came in a matter of days ago, the first that had ever come against me since I have been a minister since 2015, [I] called for an independent inquiry and I look forward to dealing with it fully and transparently rather than dealing with anonymous comments in the media.
“I have always adhered to the ministerial code, including my use of my iPhone.”
Mr Sunak has said he does not “recognise that characterisation” of Mr Raab, while other top Tory MPs defended Mr Raab, saying he had high standards and was very decent.
Labour and the Lib Dems called for Mr Raab to be suspended while the allegations are investigated.
A Labour spokesman said: “It’s pretty shocking that no action has been taken against the justice secretary given the allegations that there have been.
“Unfortunately, I think this is yet again the consequence of having a weak prime minister who has shown repeatedly on these issues a lack of willingness to act.
“The idea that Dominic Raab can continue in post with no consequence whilst there are these allegations around, I think most people would find pretty surprising.”
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Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “The trickle of allegations about Dominic Raab has turned into a flood and his position is becoming increasingly untenable.
“Rishi Sunak must ask Raab to step down as justice secretary while these complaints are investigated, and confirm he won’t be reappointed if they are upheld.
“Anything less would make a mockery of Sunak’s claim that he would govern with integrity. It can’t be one rule for Conservative ministers and another for everyone else.”
