Raab's attitude caused 'blockages' during Kabul exit, sources claim

Dominic Raab’s refusal to speak to some Foreign Office staff he considered “time-wasters” led to “blockages” during the Afghanistan evacuation, with staff at two departments he ran forced to take sick leave because of his alleged behaviour, sources have told the Guardian.

New claims emerged about the deputy prime minister’s conduct compounding the chaotic exit of British forces during the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, which officials warned had been “costly” and caused “long-lasting” damage.

Raab, who it is understood denies the claims, is set to be investigated over two formal complaints made against him by civil servants who worked with him at the Foreign Office and Ministry of Justice. He was moved from foreign secretary to justice secretary just weeks after the evacuation . The foreign affairs select committee later accused the government of being “missing in action” in a report that examined the episode.

In the lead-up to the final stages of the withdrawal, decisions were delayed as Raab allowed only a handful of senior staff to engage with him and members of his private office, insiders told the Guardian. The then foreign secretary described several senior officials in the Foreign Office as “time wasters”, one source said.