Dominic Raab calls Kate Garraway ‘unconscionable’ as she quizzes him on coercive control case after bullying claims

There was a tense exchange between Kate Garraway and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab on Friday’s Good Morning Britain.

The Conservative politician is under investigation for alleged bullying after civil servants working under him claimed it was like being in a ‘controlling and abusive relationship.’

Raab is currently being probed over eight formal complaints involving at least 24 staff during his time as a senior minister.

The Deputy PM and Justice Secretary appeared on GMB today to discuss government plans which would see killers with a history of coercive or controlling behaviour against their victims face tougher sentences.

And while the plans themselves appear to be welcomed, presenter Garraway questioned how ‘challenging’ it is for Raab, as Justice Secretary, dealing with these issues when a new report saw people allegedly involved in the bullying investigation saying staff were ‘reduced to tears’.

She noted the new claims ‘accuse you of coercive behaviour, the very language some of these laws you’re tackling – it must make it very challenging for you.’

Garraway quizzed the Deputy PM on allegations of bullying as he spoke on new plans to make tougher sentences for killers who’s victims had been subject to coercive control (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Raab instantly hit back, saying he would not comment on ‘anonymous reports’ as it is ‘contrary to the rules of the inquiry.

He added: ‘Can I just say, any equivalence being suggested by you or anyone else between the kind of murder cases we’re talking about, and anything I’ve been accused of, let alone doing, is frankly pretty unconscionable.’

Garraway clarified she was ‘not drawing in any way’ that equivalence, saying she ‘wouldn’t remotely do that, that is utterly unconscionable as you say for all those who suffer that abuse.’

Raab shut the equivalence down, calling it ‘unconscionable’ (Picture: Shutterstock)

Witnesses claimed Raab would ‘belittle, demean and humiliate’ whenever they failed to deliver and would show ‘anger and rage’ as he told staff ‘you are no good,’ a source told The Mirror.

Dozens of witnesses, including top departmental civil servants, are believed to have spoken to the inquiry about Mr Raab’s behaviour towards his junior staff, which broadly focus on claims of a demeaning and forthright attitude.

Amongst the charges levelled against Mr Raab are claims he ‘belittled and demeaned’ civil servants and was ‘very rude and aggressive’ to them on multiple occasions each day.

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Raab has denied claims he mistreated his staff, and confirmed he would resign from government if an inquiry into his conduct found him guilty of bullying.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV

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There were tense scenes on GMB this morning.