Dominic Raab will be sacked if an investigation into the Deputy Prime Minister concludes that he bullied people, Rishi Sunak has suggested.
Eight formal bullying complaints have been made against Mr Raab and an independent investigation is currently ongoing. Mr Raab has always denied wrongdoing.
The Prime Minister told reporters this afternoon: “I’ve asked the independent adviser some time ago to have a look at the historic issues that have been raised.
“The independent adviser is conducting his investigation, I can’t prejudge the outcome of that investigation, it’s right that it concludes.
“But as people have seen from how I’ve acted in the past, when I’m presented with conclusive independent findings that someone in my Government has not acted with the integrity or standards that I would expect of them, I won’t hesitate to take swift and decisive action.
“That’s what I’ve done in the past. But with regard to this situation, it’s right that we let the independent process continue.”
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02:55 PM
‘We are doing what we can’
The UK is “doing what we can” to provide support to Turkey in Syria after yesterday’s earthquakes, Rishi Sunak has said.
The Prime Minister told reporters: “It’s obviously an incredibly tragic situation that we’re all seeing in Turkey and Syria. I want everyone to know that we are doing what we can to provide support, we are in touch with the authorities in both Syria and Turkey.
“And specifically we are in the process of sending 77 search and rescue experts to Turkey – that’s the most immediate need that they have communicated to us that we can help with – we do have people who are particularly experienced at that.
“We will be sending that support as quickly as possible.”
02:38 PM
Watch: Shapps and Badenoch secure new roles
02:22 PM
Dominic Raab will be sacked if investigation concludes he bullied people, suggests Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak has suggested he will sack Dominic Raab if an investigation into the Deputy Prime Minister concludes that he did bully people.
Eight formal bullying complaints have been made against Mr Raab and an independent investigation is currently ongoing. Mr Raab has always denied wrongdoing.
The Prime Minister told reporters this afternoon: “I’ve asked the independent adviser some time ago to have a look at the historic issues that have been raised.
“The independent adviser is conducting his investigation, I can’t prejudge the outcome of that investigation, it’s right that it concludes.
“But as people have seen from how I’ve acted in the past, when I’m presented with conclusive independent findings that someone in my Government has not acted with the integrity or standards that I would expect of them, I won’t hesitate to take swift and decisive action.
“That’s what I’ve done in the past. But with regard to this situation, it’s right that we let the independent process continue.”
02:06 PM
Rishi Sunak: New energy department will result in lower household bills
Rishi Sunak said the creation of the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will “reduce people’s energy bills”.
Speaking during a visit to the District Energy Centre in central London alongside Grant Shapps, Mr Sunak told reporters: “I think we’ve seen over the last year in particular the impact that happens to people’s bills at home when energy policy doesn’t work properly, when we’re reliant on imported energy from hostile countries.
“That’s why the creation today of a new department focused specifically on energy security and net zero is so important.
“It’s going to mean that we can reduce people’s energy bills – that’s so important – it means we can produce more energy here at home, giving us more independence and security, and it means we can transition to cleaner forms of energy as we hit our net zero ambitions and create jobs in the process, as we’re seeing here today.
“We’re focused on delivering for the British people and this will help us do that.”
01:51 PM
Labour accuses Rishi Sunak of ‘scrapping’ the Government’s industrial strategy
Jonathan Reynolds, Labour’s shadow business secretary, has accused Rishi Sunak of “scrapping” the Government’s industrial strategy after the phrase was lost from the name of a department following this morning’s Whitehall shake-up.
Mr Reynolds said: “Rishi Sunak’s decision to remove the Industrial Strategy from his Government’s priority list shows quite clearly that he has no plan to drive growth in our fantastic industries.
“Thirteen years of Government failure has left iconic British industries like steel in limbo and we are at risk of losing our edge in a range of sectors from car manufacturing to artificial intelligence. This is a Government out of ideas with nothing to offer British business.
“Labour’s Industrial Strategy will partner with business to drive economic growth across the country and keep good jobs in Britain for decades to come.”
01:43 PM
Lee Anderson appointed deputy chairman of the Conservative Party
01:41 PM
Rishi Sunak: New energy department will deliver ‘cheaper, cleaner, more secure’ energy
Rishi Sunak said his new energy department would reduce the UK’s dependency on overseas supplies in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will focus on giving the UK cheaper, cleaner, more secure sources of energy – cutting bills, cutting emissions, and cutting our dependence on international energy supplies, like those of Putin’s Russia,” tweeted.
In 2021 imports from Russia made up four per cent of gas used in the UK, nine per cent of oil and 27 per cent of coal, worth a combined £4.5 billion, according to House of Commons Library figures.
01:08 PM
Reader poll: Will Greg Hands do a good job as Tory chairman?
12:52 PM
Whitehall shake-up not a ‘silver bullet’ for nation’s problems
Downing Street said the plans for the Whitehall shake-up “have been worked on for some time” but they would not be a “silver bullet” to address all the problems faced by the country.
Asked about claims that departments had been blindsided by the moves, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: “Number 10 and the Cabinet Office have been working on this, as you’d expect. It’s not unusual when it comes to changes like this to be developed from the centre.”
The spokesman added: “These are putting in place the structures that can better enable government to deliver for the public. They are not simply a silver bullet, nor would we claim them to be.”
12:50 PM
Not enough ‘forward planning’ on energy – No10
No10 said a new standalone energy department was needed because there has not been enough “forward planning” on the issue in recent years.
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: “For too long there hasn’t been enough forward planning on this, whether that’s on building new nuclear or other issues.
“Having a new department solely focused on this, led by Grant Shapps, is a way of addressing these long-standing challenges.”
12:23 PM
‘Business and trade naturally go together’
Downing Street said that the creation of a new Department for Business and Trade, under Kemi Badenoch, made sense and the two issues “naturally go together”.
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: “This is a recognition, I think that’s been put forward from a number of individuals, that business and trade naturally go together and that when you’re planning trade deals to benefit UK business it makes sense to link them together under one secretary of state so there’s a clearer lines of responsibility.”
12:17 PM
Downing Street downplays cost implications of Whitehall shake-up
Downing Street said it does not expect Rishi Sunak’s shake-up of Whitehall departments to result in “significant additional costs”.
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: “We would set out any costs in the normal way. It is worth stressing that teams are already in place, this is about bringing together teams under the priorities of the Prime Minister.
“So we wouldn’t expect there to be significant additional costs to this.”
12:09 PM
No10 does not deny Michael Gove was Rishi Sunak’s first choice for new science job
Downing Street has not denied reports that Michael Gove was Rishi Sunak’s first choice to be the new Science, Technology and Innovation Secretary. Michelle Donelan has been appointed to the role.
No10 said it would not comment on “speculation”.
11:54 AM
Rishi Sunak: Whitehall changes will help ‘build a better future for our children & grandchildren’
11:38 AM
No10: Whitehall changes will help PM deliver his five promises
Downing Street said today’s changes in Whitehall will “ensure the whole of government is geared up to deliver for the British people”.
No10 said: “The changes will ensure the right skills and teams are focussed on the Prime Minister’s five promises: to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.”
The new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will be tasked with “securing our long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation”.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology “will drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy”.
The new Department for Business and Trade “will support growth by backing British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade”.
11:34 AM
Grant Shapps ‘delighted’ to be first Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary
11:33 AM
Lib Dems criticise ‘rudderless reshuffle’
The Liberal Democrats have labelled Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle “rudderless” and claimed the shake-up of Whitehall departments could cost taxpayers £60million.
Christine Jardine, the party’s Cabinet Office spokeswoman, said: “Rishi Sunak is looking weaker by the day, and this rudderless reshuffle is the latest proof.
“This reshuffle will cost the public millions while failing to change the trajectory of this government in crisis.
“Rather than fritter away tens of millions of taxpayers’ cash on costly vanity projects, Sunak should spend the money where it’s most needed. This cash could fund 25 million free school meals.”
11:30 AM
New department names confirmed
These are the official names of the three new Whitehall departments:
– Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
– Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
– Department for Business and Trade
There has also been changes made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – it has lost the “digital” which was in its name.
11:24 AM
Greg Hands: ‘The work starts right away’
11:22 AM
What does Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle actually mean?
Basically the Prime Minister has ripped apart the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, splitting it into three separate parts.
There will now be a standalone energy department (again, after DECC was disbanded in 2016), headed up by Grant Shapps as the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary.
The science stuff that was under the BEIS umbrella will now be in a specific new Science, Innovation and Technology department headed up by Michelle Donelan.
The original business brief will be combined with the trade department and will be headed up by Kemi Badenoch in a new Department for Business and Trade.
11:03 AM
Official: Greg Hands made Tory chairman as PM creates three new departments
Downing Street has just announced Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle:
- Greg Hands has been made Tory chairman and new Minister without Portfolio.
- Grant Shapps has been made Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
- Michelle Donelan becomes Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- Kemi Badenoch is now the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. She remains as President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities.
- Lucy Frazer has become Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport.
10:43 AM
Greenpeace criticises reports of new Department of Energy
Greenpeace has criticised the suggestion that Rishi Sunak is about to re-establish the Department of Energy, arguing that it is “government policy and underinvestment that is holding back real action on the climate and energy crises”.
Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s director of policy, said: “As climate disasters intensify, energy costs spiral and the world continue to sink under rising seas, without other fundamental reforms, re-establishing a Department for Energy will be as helpful as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It’s government policy and underinvestment that is holding back real action on the climate and energy crises, not the departments or ministers in place.
“Unless the new-look Department for Energy is given the freedom and funding to rapidly scale up renewable energy production – both offshore and on – to sure up domestic supply, as well as roll out a nationwide scheme to insulate the tens of millions of energy-wasting homes across the country, what’s the point?”
10:28 AM
Union accuses Rishi Sunak of ‘rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic’
The PCS union, which represents Whitehall workers, said Rishi Sunak should be concentrating on resolving industrial disputes, not conducting a reshuffle.
A PCS spokesman said: “Rishi Sunak should be fully focused on resolving our dispute, not rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic”.
10:04 AM
Report: Grant Shapps ‘to be new energy security secretary’
Grant Shapps is expected to be the new energy security secretary and Kemi Badenoch is expected to be the new business and trade secretary, according to reports.
Greg Hands will be the new chairman of the Conservative Party, Steven Swinford, the political editor of The Times, has tweeted.
10:01 AM
‘The Conservatives now admit they got it wrong’
Ed Miliband said reports that Rishi Sunak is going to re-establish the Department of Energy suggests the Tories now “admit they got it wrong” when they disbanded the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2016.
Labour’s shadow climate change secretary tweeted: “So seven years after the disastrous decision to abolish the Department of Energy, the Conservatives now admit they got it wrong, but a rearranging of deckchairs on the sinking Titanic of failed Conservative energy policy will not rescue the country.
“Britain’s energy bills are too high and our system too weak because of years of disastrous decisions: the ongoing onshore wind ban, blocking of solar, slashing of energy efficiency, disastrous regulation of the retail market and an unlawful net zero plan. All this must change.”
09:41 AM
Analysis: Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle and Whitehall shake-up is packed with risk
Cabinet reshuffles are tricky.
Reshuffles combined with major changes to Whitehall departments? Very, very tricky.
There is a lot that could go wrong for Rishi Sunak today and recent history has told us that what is supposed to be a moment to reset premierships can quickly turn into a debacle which causes lasting damage and undermines a PM’s authority.
There will be the normal challenges of ministers potentially refusing to change jobs and backbenchers turning down offers.
But Mr Sunak will also have to persuade his ministers and his MPs that today really is the right time to go through the arduous process of making changes to the machinery of government.
Another significant risk for Mr Sunak is the manner in which today’s shake-up is happening. No one knew about it until last night and nobody seems to know for certain this morning what is going to happen despite reshuffles usually being badly kept secrets.
There is always the chance that a closely-guarded plan could experience difficulties when the rubber actually meets the road.
09:29 AM
PM ‘planning to set up Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’
Chris Mason, the BBC’s political editor, reports that one of the new departments which will be set up today will be called the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.
09:26 AM
Ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries warns against breaking up DCMS
09:09 AM
Greg Hands knows ‘nothing’ about reshuffle
Greg Hands, the international trade minister, has been tipped as a potential replacement for Nadhim Zahawi as Tory chairman.
Mr Hands said this morning that he knows “nothing” about the reshuffle as he responded to a tweet from his Tory MP colleague Michael Fabricant. Here is the exchange:
09:05 AM
‘Cabinet meeting pushed back to 3pm’
We had thought that today’s Cabinet meeting had been delayed by one hour to 10.30am.
But there are now reports that it has been pushed back to 3pm.
That could suggest that Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle and reorganisation of Whitehall could be bigger than initially anticipated.
09:01 AM
Labour repeats call for windfall tax extension after BP posts record profits
BP has announced record profits of $28bn [£23bn] this morning after a year of high oil and gas prices in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (you can follow the latest here).
Ed Miliband, Labour’s shadow climate change secretary, responded to the announcement by repeating his call for Rishi Sunak to extend the Government’s existing windfall tax on oil and gas giants to make it more punishing.
He said: “It’s yet another day of enormous profits at an energy giant, the windfalls of war, coming directly out of the pockets of the British people.
“What is so outrageous is that as fossil fuel companies rake in these enormous sums, Rishi Sunak still refuses to bring in a proper windfall tax that would make them pay their fair share.”
08:50 AM
Rishi Sunak ‘planning to break up BEIS and re-establish Department of Energy’
Reports suggest Rishi Sunak will today announce he is breaking up the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy in order to re-establish a Department of Energy.
The original Department of Energy and Climate Change was disbanded in 2016.
Splitting off energy from BEIS would make sense: Mr Sunak made a pledge to do just that back in July last year during the Tory leadership race.
Mr Sunak said at the time that he wanted a new secretary of state role charged with delivering “energy sovereignty”.
08:25 AM
Who could replace Nadhim Zahawi as Tory chairman?
Several names have been linked to the vacant job of chairman of the Conservative Party. They are:
Grant Shapps
The current Business Secretary, Grant Shapps has actually been the Tory chairman before, serving under David Cameron’s leadership between September 2012 and May 2015.
Mr Shapps recently served as transport secretary and then briefly as home secretary before Rishi Sunak put him in charge of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy. A move to Tory chairman would be seen by some in Westminster as something of a demotion.
Penny Mordaunt
The current Commons Leader would be seen as something of a unifying figure if she was put in charge of the Conservative Party.
She came third in both Tory leadership contests held last year and is popular with many Tory MPs as well as with much of the Tory grassroots.
Greg Hands
A firm ally of Rishi Sunak who currently serves as international trade minister, Greg Hands is widely respected among Tory MPs and is viewed as a capable media performer. He has been an MP since 2005.
Andrew Mitchell
A veteran Conservative MP who represented Gedling from 1987 to 1997 and then Sutton Coldfield from 2001 until the present day, Andrew Mitchell is currently the Government’s development minister – a similar job to the international development secretary role he had in 2010-2012.
He did serve as vice chairman of the Conservative Party back in 1992-1993 but he has made clear he would like to stay in his current role.
08:21 AM
Andrew Mitchell ‘not expecting’ to be asked to be Tory chairman
Development minister Andrew Mitchell has signalled that he hoped to be staying in his current role after he was linked to the vacant job of Tory chairman.
He told LBC Radio: “I’m certainly not expecting to be called upon to do that. But one should always try to do what the Prime Minister wants you to do.”
08:12 AM
Reshuffle expected at 9am
Rishi Sunak’s mini-reshuffle is expected to get underway at about 9am, a No10 source has told The Telegraph.
08:11 AM
Treasury minister on reshuffle: ‘We’ll have to wait and see’
Andrew Griffiths, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, would not comment on reports that Rishi Sunak is poised for a mini-reshuffle and reorganisation of Government departments.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he was asked if there needs to be a specific department focused on energy – something apparently being considered by the PM.
He said: “If the Prime Minister has got something to say on how to reorganise government then we’ll have to wait and see that. What I’m talking about this morning is the very exciting prospect of a digital pound.”
Asked if it was a mistake to disband the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2016, he said: “To me, it is all about outcomes, it is not about process. Obviously if there are ways of streamlining the way this Government can deliver on the people’s priorities, then that’s important.”
08:00 AM
UK search and rescue teams yet to leave for Turkey
British search and rescue specialists who are being sent to Turkey after yesterday’s earthquakes have not yet left the UK, the development minister has said.
UK support for Turkey had been expected to fly out at 4pm yesterday, arriving in Turkey in the evening, but the flight has not yet departed. Andrew Mitchell said he believed the flight will be leaving “imminently”.
“Britain is sending 76 people who specialise in getting people out of the rubble and four sniffer dogs, and also an emergency response team,” he told GB News.
“The critical thing in these circumstances is the first 72 hours. These significant British assets are waiting to leave Birmingham. They were ready to leave last night. It has to be coordinated with the Turkish authorities. I expect them to leave within the next couple of hours so that they land in daylight. And then this British expertise will be helping what is a huge, international effort to save lives.
“It’s being coordinated very professionally by the Turkish authorities. They were ready to leave last night. But my information is that they will be leaving imminently and of course they will be landing in daylight, and that is the time where they can be most effective.”
07:56 AM
Minister: Dominic Raab should not be removed from Cabinet during reshuffle
Andrew Mitchell was asked if Rishi Sunak should use today’s expected reshuffle to remove Dominic Raab from the Cabinet.
The development minister told GB News: “No. There is a process around these allegations that have been made about Dominic and that process should be followed.
“We live in a country which believes in a system of fairness and justice and that’s what has been set up and I don’t think it should be preempted in any way.”
07:54 AM
Andrew Mitchell on speculation he could be next Tory chairman: ‘Matters way above my pay grade’
Andrew Mitchell has been one of a handful of people who have been linked to the vacant job of Tory chairman.
The development minister is on the morning media round for the Government as he sets out the UK’s response to the earthquake in Turkey in Syria.
He was asked if he would want the job of chairman of the Conservative Party.
He told GB News: “Well, these are matters way above my pay grade and they are matters for the Prime Minister.
“But I am very happy indeed doing a job which I have done before and I love very much which is the international development job and I am going to do my best particularly today to see that Britain puts its shoulder to the wheel and that we save as many lives as we can of those poor people who are caught up in this catastrophe in Syria and Turkey.”
07:52 AM
Cabinet ‘delayed by one hour’ amid rumours of imminent reshuffle
Rishi Sunak is widely expected to conduct a small Cabinet reshuffle this morning.
The Prime Minister needs to appoint a new Tory chairman following the sacking of Nadhim Zahawi more than a week ago.
But it is thought the shake-up will go further than a single appointment with the premier said to be planning changes to a number of ministerial roles.
No10 has not confirmed a reshuffle is taking place – it rarely does – but the weekly Cabinet meeting has reportedly been pushed back by an hour to 10.30am.
That will be seen by many in Westminster as confirmation that changes are imminent.
