Defense Secretary Alex Chalk has been promoted to UK Justice Minister, succeeding Dominic Raab, who resigned on Friday after a report supported complaints of harassment towards staff.
Chalk, who has been an MP since 2015, has studied law and has served as a lawyer and prosecutor, as well as the Secretary of State for Justice in charge of the prison service.
The current Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, a member of government with ministerial rank and coordination responsibilities, inherited the title of Deputy Prime Minister from Raab.
Dominic Raab announced his resignation on Friday morning ahead of a decision by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had been investigating an independent report on harassment allegations since Thursday.bullying) that targeted their “number two” in the executive branch (who also held the Justice portfolio).
In a letter of resignation, Raab said he felt “obliged to accept the result”, further stating that the trial in question “sets a dangerous precedent.
“It will encourage unfair complaints against ministers, and will have a chilling effect on those pushing reforms on behalf of the government – and ultimately on the British people.”warned.
The report, prepared by attorney Adam Tolley, says Raab’s conduct “involved abuse or improper use of power in a manner that is distressing or degrading.”
“In particular, he went beyond what was reasonably necessary to implement decisions and introduced a punitive element”he adds, indicating that the former minister “must have been aware of this effect” or should have been.
Rishi Sunak expressed “great sadness” at the resignation of “number two”, referring to “imperfections in the long process that negatively affected everyone involved”.
After stepping down, he undertook a mini-executive reshuffle, transferring James Cartlidge to the Ministry of Defense and replacing him with Gareth Davies as Secretary of State for the Exchequer.
In anticipation of the approaching maternity leave of Michelle Donelan and Julia Lopez, he appointed Chloe Smith Secretary of State for Science and John Whittingdale Secretary of State for Culture, respectively.
Source: DN
