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Dominic Raab’s replacements revealed as Rishi Sunak carries out mini reshuffle

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Dominic Raab’s replacements revealed as Rishi Sunak carries out mini reshuffle
Dominic Raab’s replacements revealed as Rishi Sunak carries out mini reshuffle

ALEX Chalk was today named Britain's new Justice Secretary following the spectacular resignation of Dominic Raab.

And Oliver Dowden was promoted to Deputy PM, in addition to his brief as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Alex Chalk is Britain's new Justice Secretary, replacing Dominic Raab in the role qeithieiedprw
Alex Chalk is Britain's new Justice Secretary, replacing Dominic Raab in the roleCredit: Reuters
Oliver Dowden will take over as Deputy PM, in addition to his role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Oliver Dowden will take over as Deputy PM, in addition to his role as Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterCredit: Reuters
Chloe Smith will make a cabinet comeback as Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary when Michelle Donelan goes on maternity leave
Chloe Smith will make a cabinet comeback as Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary when Michelle Donelan goes on maternity leaveCredit: PA

A Cabinet mini-reshuffle kicked off after a bombshell report upheld two formal bullying complaints against Mr Raab.

Rishi Sunak took the opportunity shake-up his top table with fresh appointments.

He announced that ex-minister Chloe Smith will provide maternity cover for Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan.

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The appointment will take place once Ms Donelan's leave begins.

And also making a government comeback will be Sir John Whittingdale, who is set to take over as a tech minister from Julia Lopez when she goes on maternity leave later this year.

Mr Chalk formerly served as a minister in the Ministry of Defence.

He also worked as Solicitor General under Boris Johnson - but resigned amid fury over Partygate and the Chris Pincher scandal.

During two subsequent Tory leadership races he backed Rishi Sunak, who attended the prestigious Winchester School at the same time as him.

Ms Smith served as Work and Pensions Secretary under Liz Truss, but was fired when Mr Sunak moved into No10.

Her upcoming stint as a Cabinet Minister will be her last, as she's announced plans to retire at the next general election.

Earlier today, in a blistering resignation letter, Mr Raab blasted an inquiry into his behaviour as "dangerous".

Rishi Sunak responded by conceding Mr Raab was "right" to resign.

But he admitted there were "shortcomings" in the way the bullying complaints were handled which must be learnt from.

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An enraged Mr Raab insisted a "number of improprieties" took place throughout the inquiry, which was led by barrister Adam Tolley KC.

He blamed civil servants for the "systematic leaking of skewed and fabricated claims to the media".

And he suggested there was a "coercive removal" of dedicated staff from his private office in October last year.

The long-awaited Raab Report upheld two formal complaints against the MP for Esher and Walton - one from his time in the Department for Exiting the EU and the other from his stint in the Foreign Office.

Mr Raab slammed the adverse findings as "flawed".

Noa Hoffman

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