In a shocking revelation, a senior government insider has disclosed that former Justice Secretary Dominic Raab received a substantial £17,000 payout after resigning from his position amidst allegations of bullying behavior towards civil servants. The news has sparked outrage and reignited the debate about the system that seems to reward ministers accused of misconduct.
Substantial Severance Despite Damning Report
According to newly published accounts from the Ministry of Justice, Raab was paid £16,876 as “compensation for loss of office” when he resigned in 2023. This came on the heels of an official report that found the ex-Minister had acted in an “intimidating” and “abrasive” manner towards staff, going “further than appropriate” in delivering critical feedback.
The report, conducted by a leading employment barrister, stated that while Raab may not have intended to upset or humiliate officials, his conduct left them feeling “unreasonably difficult to deal with.” In his resignation letter, Raab maintained that the findings set a dangerous precedent by placing the threshold for bullying too low.
Rules Allow Payouts Regardless of Circumstances
The substantial severance package Raab received is permitted under current rules on ministerial payouts. These regulations entitle ministers who lose their jobs, for whatever reason, to a quarter of their annual salary – regardless of how long they served in the post. The money is only repaid if they secure another ministerial role within three weeks.
It’s outrageous that a Minister can behave so inappropriately, resign in disgrace, and still walk away with a hefty payout from taxpayers. The system is clearly broken and in urgent need of reform.
– A senior opposition MP who wished to remain anonymous
Calls for Raab to Return the Money
In light of the bullying allegations and critical report, there have been vociferous calls for Raab to pay back the £16,876 he received. The Liberal Democrats, who won Raab’s former seat of Esher and Walton in the recent general election, are leading the charge. A party spokesperson argued:
Voters in Esher and Walton and right across the country voted for change. People were fed up with the Conservative party who were mired in sleaze. Dominic Raab should pay back his payout, given his behaviour in office.
– Liberal Democrat spokesperson
So far, Raab has not publicly responded to these demands. A source close to the ex-Minister said he is currently focusing on his post-political career and has no intention of repaying the money, which he believes he is legally entitled to.
Not the First Controversial Payout for Raab
Interestingly, this is not the first time Raab has benefited financially from leaving a ministerial post under contentious circumstances. Ministry of Justice accounts show he also received £9,043 as a severance payment in 2022 after his first stint as Justice Secretary was cut short by then-PM Liz Truss.
When Truss herself was ousted shortly after, Raab returned to the role. However, as this was more than three weeks later, he was entitled to keep the £9,043. A Whitehall insider wryly noted: “It seems that for Raab, there are significant silver linings to the ministerial revolving door, even when linked to poor performance or impropriety.“
Pressure Mounts for Reform of Ministerial Payouts
The Raab payout controversy has intensified pressure on the government to overhaul the generous severance arrangements for ministers. The opposition Labour party has pledged to reform the system if elected, linking compensation more closely to time served and conduct in office.
Under Labour’s proposals, payouts would be reduced for shorter-serving ministers, with compensation set at a quarter of actual salary received over the past year rather than annual earnings. Crucially, payments would be suspended for ministers under investigation for misconduct, with the money blocked entirely if any complaint is upheld.
For too long, a culture of impunity and entitlement has been allowed to flourish at the top of government. It’s high time we introduced some accountability, so that ministers are no longer rewarded for failure or impropriety with taxpayers’ money.
– Senior Labour MP involved in policy development
With the Raab case fanning the flames of public discontent, the government is under mounting pressure to act. However, insiders suggest that reform is unlikely to be a priority for the current administration, which is grappling with multiple crises and a slim parliamentary majority.
As things stand, it appears that the controversial system of rewarding misbehaving ministers will continue – much to the frustration of opposition parties, civil servants and the taxpaying public. The Raab affair may have shone a harsh light on the issue, but meaningful change remains elusive.
Only time will tell if the growing clamor for reform will eventually force the government’s hand, or if the institutional inertia and vested interests that have long protected ministerial privileges will win out. For now, Dominic Raab’s £17,000 golden goodbye stands as a potent symbol of a system many believe is rotten to the core.
