Bullying IS more than hard stares and raised voices

THERE'S no denying a hard stare can leave someone on the receiving end of it feeling rather intimidated. In the world of fiction, the very lovable Paddington Bear is the foremost exponent of the tactic. In the world of politics, that title goes to the somewhat less cuddly Dominic Raab.

Then again, being deputy PM and justice secretary involves rather greater responsibilities than does wandering round in search of marmalade sandwiches.

Mr Raab is subject to a Whitehall inquiry after allegations of bullying were made against him by civil servants.

Staring is alleged to have been one of the "micro-aggressions" he deployed against staff who displeased him.

So, sometimes, was branding work handed into him as "not good enough" and berating senior officials who gave advice he regarded as flawed, lazy or ill thought-out. Some say that on occasion he raised his voice. He says he never shouted.

It may turn out that there is more to the complaints against Mr Raab than the rather trivial grievances that have so far come to light. But on the face of it he is quite right to assert that demanding the best from people working in an elite and well-paid profession - and taking issue with them when those standards were not reached does not constitute bullying.

"I think standards of professionalism, whether they're in the business sector, the voluntary sector or the public sector should involve setting high standards and zero bullying, and those two things are perfectly reconcilable," he said."