Angela Rayner responds to Rishi Sunak's comments defending Dominic Raab

Angela Rayner MP, Labour's Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, responding to Rishi Sunak's comments defending Dominic Raab following reports of bullying allegations against the Deputy Prime Minister, said:

"It is anti-bullying week, but instead of holding the bullies to account this Prime Minister is cowering behind them. Rishi Sunak clearly knew about Dominic Raab’s reputation when he reappointed him to his Cabinet.

"The Prime Minister’s promised appointment of an ethics watchdog is now long overdue leaving his pledge to bring integrity to his Government lying in tatters. Just weeks after he was installed as Prime Minister there is already an overflowing in-tray of fresh accusations of ministerial misconduct.

"Rishi Sunak put the Tory Party before the country and cut a series of grubby deals to avoid facing a leadership contest, his Cabinet is overflowing with ministers embroiled in misconduct allegations. An independent investigation into Dominic Raab must urgently be launched."