BULLYING claims against Dominic Raab are “snowflakey” and should be taken with caution, Jacob Rees Mogg has said.
The top Tory insisted that ministers must be able to give Whitehall staff a firm dressing down without being told they are bullies.
Jacob Rees Mogg warned against snowflaky people making accusations of bullying
Rishi Sunak has refused to suspend his ally, the deputy PM and Justice Secretary, while he faces a probe from senior lawyer, Adam Tolley KC into complaints against him.
Former Business Secretary, Mr Rees Mogg said it was “completely sensible” for him to stay in post while they got to the bottom of it.
He told Sky: “I think we’ve got to be slightly careful about the bullying allegations.
“We mustn’t be too snowflakey about it.
“People need to be able to say this job has not been done well enough and needs to be done better.
“It’s a very difficult line to judge. It’s not a straightforward issue in most cases.
“It’s how did somebody react, what did somebody say, is it reasonable to demand from senior and well-paid professionals a level of good service? And then you have to judge whether that line has been overstepped.”
But union chief Dave Penman hit back at his “outrageous” remarks.
The General Secretary of the FDA union said: “A former leader of the House trivialising bullying that we know has ruined lives and careers.
“Not only should he be ashamed of himself but his leader and party should distance themselves from this.”
Dominic Raab faces accusations of bullying staff – which he denies
The PM’s spokesperson wouldn’t be drawn on the matter while the investigation into Mr Raab is ongoing – but stressed the PM was not aware of any “formal complaint” when he gave him the top job.
It comes as it emerged as controversial ex-FCO boss Simon McDonald – who was eased out under Mr Raab – has given evidence against him saying he was irrationally angry.
He told Times Radio last year that staff working for him were “scared to go into his office” and accused him of being “abrasive and controlling”.
Mr Raab has denied allegations of bullying.
