Dominic Raab bought himself time but Tory integrity problem remains

Faced with widespread allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour towards civil servants, and about to face the formidable Angela Rayner at Prime Minister’s Questions, Dominic Raab had choices: try and rebut the welter of charges against him under parliamentary privilege; make some feeble attempt to evade responsibility; or fashion a more substantial shield to shelter behind.

He wisely chose the latter. An official inquiry is the traditional method by which trouble can be at least postponed. Normally it is initiated by a prime minister anxious to find out the facts. This time, Raab took the initiative by referring himself to Rishi Sunak once formal complaints were raised. Unorthodox, but it worked.

Raab seemed muted and hesitant in his answers, and rather half-hearted in his counterattacks on Rayner, but the shield succeeded – he was able to refer Rayner to the investigation. The only snag, of course, is that there is still no independent adviser on ministerial conduct in place. As Rayner scornfully pointed out, there is no sign of a new one being appointed and thus no prospect of a timely review of Raab’s behaviour in various Whitehall departments. The investigation could be conducted by cabinet secretary Simon Case, but he is a slightly compromised figure as a result of his association with Boris Johnson. For Raab, or for his accusers, justice is delayed.

The last independent adviser on ministerial conduct, Lord (Christopher) Geidt, resigned in protest at Mr Johnson’s behaviour in June, part of the chain of events that led to the prime minister’s forced resignation. His short-lived successor, Liz Truss offered the view that such an ethical watchdog wasn’t needed if high ethical standards were ingrained in government. Sunak, interestingly, said during his summer leadership campaign that the first thing he would do in office was appoint an ethics adviser, and suggested bringing back Lord Geidt. Raab stated that the recruitment purpose was underway, but gave no timings. Given that the last two ethics advisers – Geidt and Sir Alex Allan – resigned in disgust, there may not be a surplus of suitable applicants. Allan, indeed, quit when his verdict on bullying accusations against Priti Patel ignored by Mr Johnson, who instead ordered MPs to “form a defensive square around the Pritster”. There is no mystery about how the sleaze issue re-emerged for the Tories; a long period in power mostly unencumbered by an effective opposition plus the ethically-casual personality of Mr Johnson almost guaranteed trouble.

Mr Sunak promised a return to professionalism and integrity on entering No 10 but has encountered successive embarrassments over his reappointment of Suella Braverman, Gavin Williamson and Dominic Raab to high office. The problem with them, and in particular with the investigation into Raab, is now the questions inevitably arise as to how much Sunak himself knew, formally or informally, about their reputation and behaviour. The unfortunate image is of a man so desperate to prevent a Johnson comeback that he promised rather too much to individuals who didn’t really deserve it. The Tories’ integrity problem is not going to be solved soon.