Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Deputy PM insists he has always ‘behaved professionally’
Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile
Related: Keir Starmer says Tories ‘always clobber working people’ during PMQs
An investigation into Dominic Raab’s conduct has been expanded to include another complaint, No 10 has said.
Downing Street ordered a probe into the deputy prime minister, who also serves as justice secretary, as he faced a number of bullying allegations.
The inquiry initially looked at two formal complaints – but No 10 said a third received on Wednesday has now been added to the mix.
It involved Mr Raab’s time at the Department for Exiting the European Union, a Downing Street spokesperson said. Rishi Sunak maintains confidence in his deputy, they added.
Mr Raab has been hit with allegations of bullying in recent weeks – including that he lost his temper at work, threw food across the room and that staff were left “scared” to go into his office.
He insisted he had always “behaved professionally” amid reports this week former private secretaries were expected to lodge formal complaints against his conduct.
Welcome to The Independent’s UK politics blog for Friday, 25 November 2022 where we provide the latest on everything buzzing in Westminster.
Rishi Sunak is considering a crackdown on foreign students bringing dependents and studying “low-quality” degrees after net migration to the UK climbed to a record half a million.
Downing Street indicated that plans to bring overall numbers down could include putting up barriers for international students’ loved ones and restricting admissions to top universities.
This would be in line with proposals being explored by home secretary Suella Braverman, who has previously complained about foreign students “bringing in family members who can piggyback onto their student visa” and “propping up, frankly, substandard courses in inadequate institutions”.
Read the details in this report:
The Home Secretary has previously complained about foreign students ‘bringing in family members who can piggyback onto their student visas’.
Rishi Sunak faces backlash from Conservative MPs after new figures showed net migration to the UK soaring to a record high, with 504,000 more people arriving in the country than departing over the past year.
“Unprecedented” global events including the lifting of Covid lockdowns, war in Ukraine and the Chinese security clampdown in Hong Kong sent immigration figures soaring.
At 1.1 million, the total number of arrivals in the 12 months to June was the highest since statistics were first gathered in 1964 and far outweighed the 560,000 departures, despite the fact that for the first time since 1991 more EU nationals left the UK than arrived.
More in this joint report from Andrew Woodcock and Holly Bancroft:
Numbers swollen by humanitarian arrivals from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong
Standards on food safety, animal welfare and consumer rights are all under threat from the government’s “recklessly irresponsible” bid to axe EU laws in a matter of months, safety watchdogs have warned.
Civil servants are rushing to rewrite reams of existing regulations because the former so-called Brexit opportunities minister Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to cleanse the country of rules that originated in Brussels by the end of 2023.
Trading standards officers have now said they are concerned that ministers’ plans could see dangerous products end up on British shelves, new diseases taking hold on farms, and scammers given new opportunities to rip people off.
Our policy correspondent Jon Stone reports:
Trading standards officers fear ‘recklessly irresponsible’ legislation poses danger to public
The watchdog responsible for MPs’ expenses has apologised for telling MPs they could charge taxpayers for Christmas parties, which resulted in some politicians receiving “abuse”.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) had been widely criticised for giving the go-ahead amid a cost of living crisis.
MPs also complained that the watchdog had given the impression they had been “clamouring” to put food, refreshments and decorations for an office party on expenses.
Report:
Some MPs received abuse in the wake of the guidance, watchdog says
Former prime minister Boris Johnson came close to serving in the Cabinet of his successor Liz Truss, a new book claims.
Written by The Financial Times’ Whitehall editor Sebastian Payne, the book claims that Ms Truss met Mr Johnson on two occasions over the course of the leadership contest in the summer, and while he remained in No 10 as caretaker PM.
The two ex-prime ministers also spoke on the phone in the final week of July to discuss whether a potential job swap should Ms Truss, who was serving as foreign secretary at the time, be victorious in the contest.
My colleague Emily Atkinson has more:
Former prime minister Boris Johnson came close to serving in the Cabinet of his successor Liz Truss, a new book claims.
Dominic Raab has insisted he “behaved professionally at all times” despite facing growing claims of bullying.
The deputy prime minister told Sky News on Thursday that he looks forward to dealing with the allegations “fully and transparently”.
It comes after the BBC reported that civil servants who worked for Mr Raab are preparing to file formal bullying complaints.
Read the details here:
Using mobile for certain work issues entirely legitimate, deputy prime minister insists
Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have joined a Tory backbench rebellion against a defacto ban on new onshore windfarms, in a blow to Rishi Sunak’s authority.
The former prime ministers signed an amendment to the government’s Levelling Up Bill tabled by Simon Clarke, who served as a minister in both their governments, to allow onshore wind development.
Mr Clarke said he was “delighted” to gain their backing.
More in this report:
Rishi Sunak’s authority tested by revolt against decision to keep ban in place
Government departments have been ordered to stop installing surveillance cameras made by Chinese firms on “sensitive sites” due to security concerns.
The order applies to “visual surveillance systems” made by firms subject to China’s national security law, which requires companies to cooperate with Beijing’s security services.
Whitehall ministries have been told existing equipment should not be connected to departmental core networks and consideration should be given to removing it entirely.
Report:
Order applies to firms subject to China’s national security law
Jeremy Hunt has failed to deny he was the source behind a claim the UK will seek a “Swiss-style deal” to improve the Brexit agreement – but insisted he did not brief that is his aim.
Quizzed by MPs, the chancellor said “I do not support, I have never contemplated” tearing up threadbare Boris Johnson’s deal, despite it being blamed for a big slump in GDP and cross-Channel trade.
But Mr Hunt failed, repeatedly, to deny he or an aide in the Treasury briefed journalists ahead of last weekend’s story which has reignited the Conservative wars over Europe.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:
But chancellor insists ‘I do not support, I have never contemplated’ tearing up Boris Johnson’s threadbare deal
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has denied any wrongdoing (Aaron Chown/PA)
PA Wire
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Log in
New to The Independent?
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?
Hi {{indy.fullName}}