Summary

  • At PMQs, Rishi Sunak faced questions about the alleged behaviour of senior Conservatives

  • Labour's Sir Keir Starmer accused him of being "too weak" to act over bullying allegations made against the deputy PM, Dominic Raab

  • Dave Penman, head of the FDA civil servants trade union, said earlier that Raab should be suspended from his ministerial post while he is being investigated

  • Sunak countered in the Commons by saying Starmer hadn't acted over the complaints of a Labour MP who said being in the party was like an "abusive relationship"

  • He also defended how he handled the Nadhim Zahawi tax affair, saying no issues had been raised when Zahawi was appointed to his cabinet

  • The Tory chairman was sacked on Sunday after an inquiry found he had broken the ministerial code

  • Raab, who is facing multiple complaints from civil servants who worked with him, denies allegations of bullying

Live Reporting

Edited by Andrew Humphrey and Jasmine Taylor-Coleman

  1. Welcome to 'Walkout Wednesday'

    Striking teachers represented by NEUPA Media

    Teachers are joining a wave of public sector workers striking over pay and conditions in what's being dubbed "Walkout Wednesday".

    Members of seven unions are on strike today - totalling 500,000 workers. It looks set to be the biggest walkout in more than a decade.

    Lecturers, librarians, and other university workers belonging to the UCU union will join the walkouts.

    So will train drivers belonging to Aslef, affecting services in England, Scotland and Wales.

    Closer to home for Westminster, 100,000 civil servants in 124 government departments have walked out in a dispute over pay and conditions.

    Read more about how today's strikes could affect you here

  2. What could come up today?

    Rishi SunakReuters

    There’s plenty for Keir Starmer and other MPs to quiz Rishi Sunak about at the dispatch box.

    Today’s session of PMQs comes during widespread disruption during school, civil service, train and bus strikes that have been dubbed “Walkout Wednesday”.

    The government continues to insist the pay rises being demanded by unions are not realistic, but Labour says ministers are stoking industrial conflict.

    Meanwhile, the PM is facing calls to suspend deputy PM Dominic Raab during an ongoing investigation into bullying allegations against him, which he denies.

    And there are also reports emerging of progress in Brexit talks over Northern Ireland – another issue that Conservative MPs might want to press Sunak on.

  3. What's the latest on the claims against Dominic Raab?

    Dominic Raab - the deputy PM and justice secretary - is facing multiple complaints of bullying from civil servants who have worked with him in a range of government departments.

    At least three permanent secretaries - the UK's most senior civil servants who run government departments - who worked with Raab have now given evidence to the inquiry into his behaviour. Raab denies the allegations.

    This morning, a civil service union leader said deputy PM Dominic Raab should be suspended while he is investigated.

    Dave Penman told the BBC: "If that was any other employee… they would in all likelihood be suspended from their job."

    He also said that the investigation involved "dozens" of civil servants and eight complaints covering three government departments.

    The PM has said he will wait for the outcome of the inquiry before taking any action - but could likely be challenged by Keir Starmer on the issue.

  4. PM has left No 10

    Rishi Sunak leaving No 10PA Media

    Rishi Sunak has just left Downing Street, on his way to the Commons for Prime Minister's Questions.

  5. Take your seats for this week's PMQs

    Why did it take so long to sack Nadhim Zahawi? Should Dominic Raab be suspended while bullying allegations against him are investigated?

    And what’s being done to end the latest wave of public sector strikes?

    These are just some of the things Labour's Sir Keir Starmer and opposition MPs could quiz Rishi Sunak about at PMQs shortly.

    The debate gets going at midday, so stay with us as we bring you live coverage of today's sparring match in the Commons.