The Dominic Raab resignation letter is one of the most discussed political exit letters in recent UK history. Raab has written two famous ones, and the more recent was sent on 21 April 2023, when he stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. It was short and formal, and it also pushed back hard on the inquiry that led to his exit.
This guide explains what the Dominic Raab resignation letter said, why he wrote it, and what ordinary employees can borrow from it. If you need to write your own letter, you’ll find links to ready-made samples along the way.
Why Dominic Raab Resigned in April 2023
Raab had asked for an independent inquiry into formal complaints about his conduct towards civil servants. The inquiry was led by Adam Tolley KC. Raab said publicly that he would resign if it made any finding of bullying.
The report went to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 21 April 2023. It upheld two of the complaints, and Raab resigned the same day. His letter says this was about keeping his promise. In his words, it was “important to keep my word.”
Rishi Sunak replied with a letter of his own, accepting the resignation and thanking Raab for his years in government.
What the Dominic Raab Resignation Letter Said
Without reprinting the whole thing, the 2023 letter makes four main points:
- It opens with the decision: He resigns, names the inquiry that triggered it, and explains why he is going.
- It thanks the Prime Minister: He calls it a privilege to serve as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, and he credits civil servants he worked with since 2015.
- It accepts the outcome but disputes it: He says he feels duty bound to accept the result, notes the inquiry dismissed all but two claims, and calls the two adverse findings flawed.
- It ends with two arguments about how the government should work: First, ministers need direct oversight of senior officials in critical negotiations, and he points to the Brexit talks over Gibraltar. Second, ministers should be able to give direct, critical feedback on official briefings.
Some commentators noticed that the letter never accepted that he had bullied anyone. That made it read less like an apology and more like a defence. You can think what you like about that, but it is a useful reminder that a resignation letter is a public record and every line will be read closely.
The Earlier Dominic Raab Resignation Letter (2018)
The 2023 letter was not his first. On 15 November 2018, Raab resigned as Brexit Secretary after the Cabinet backed Theresa May’s Brexit deal. That letter thanked May for the chance to serve as Justice Minister, Housing Minister and Brexit Secretary, then said plainly that he could not support the deal and had to go.
That version is a cleaner example of a resignation on principle: one clear reason, a polite thank you, and a quick exit.
Dominic Raab Resignation Letters at a Glance
| Detail | 2018 Letter | 2023 Letter |
| Role resigned from | Brexit Secretary | Deputy PM, Justice Secretary, Lord Chancellor |
| Addressed to | Theresa May | Rishi Sunak |
| Trigger | Disagreement over the Brexit deal | Findings from the Adam Tolley KC inquiry |
| Stated reason | Could not support the government’s policy | Keeping his word to resign if bullying was found |
| Tone | Respectful, firm | Formal, defensive, critical of the inquiry |
| Thanks included | Yes | Yes |
| Last working day mentioned | No, effective immediately | No, effective immediately |
One More Letter: Standing Down as an MP
On 19 May 2023, Raab sent a separate letter to the chair of his local Conservative association, Peter Szanto, confirming he would not stand again at the next general election. He said the pressure of the job on his young family was a growing concern. He did not contest the 2024 election.
This letter is worth noting because it shows a different style. It is personal, brief and gives a reason that most readers can relate to.
What the Dominic Raab Resignation Letter Teaches About Writing Your Own
A cabinet minister’s resignation and a normal job resignation have very different stakes. Still, a few lessons carry over.
Lead with the decision: Raab’s first line says he is resigning. Yours should too. Our guide on how to write a resignation letter walks through the full structure in simple steps.
Add a line of thanks. Even in a tense exit, a short thank you protects your reputation. The resignation letter format page shows where it fits.
Be careful about arguing your case: Raab used his letter to dispute the inquiry. That is rarely a good idea in a normal workplace. Your letter goes into your HR file and may be read by a future employer. Save disagreements for an exit interview, or skip them.
Keep it short when you can: If you just want to leave cleanly, a short resignation letter or a simple resignation letter sample will do the job in four or five lines.
Give your last working day: Raab’s letters took effect immediately, which is normal in government. In most jobs you need to state a date based on your notice period. Our job resignation letter and employment resignation letter guides both cover this with templates.
Match the tone to the situation: A resignation on principle, like his 2018 letter, can be firm. A routine exit should be warm and neutral. If you only need the basics, our plain resign letter page is a good starting point, and you can browse more options in the free templates and examples sections.
A Short Template Inspired by a Principled Exit
Here is a clean, professional version you can adapt. It keeps the directness of the Dominic Raab resignation letter without the combative parts.
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to resign from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name], effective [Last Working Day].
Thank you for the opportunities I have had here and for the support of the team. I will do my best to hand over my work smoothly before I leave.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Dominic Raab resign?
He resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary on 21 April 2023. He had also resigned as Brexit Secretary on 15 November 2018. - Why did Dominic Raab resign in 2023?
An independent inquiry by Adam Tolley KC upheld two complaints about his conduct towards officials. Raab had promised to resign if any bullying was found, so he stepped down. - Who did Dominic Raab address his resignation letter to?
The 2023 letter went to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The 2018 letter went to Theresa May. - Did Dominic Raab admit to bullying in his letter?
No. He said he would accept the outcome of the inquiry, but called its two adverse findings flawed and said they set a dangerous precedent. - Why did Dominic Raab resign as Brexit Secretary?
He could not support the Brexit deal the Cabinet agreed to in November 2018, so he resigned the following day. - Can I copy the Dominic Raab resignation letter for my own job?
It is not a good model for a normal workplace, because it is a political statement. Use the template above or one of our resignation letter samples instead. - Should I criticise my employer in my resignation letter?
Usually not. A resignation letter stays in your employment records, so keep it professional and raise any concerns in an exit interview.
Conclusion
The Dominic Raab resignation letter is worth reading as a piece of political history, and it also shows how much weight a few paragraphs can carry. His 2023 letter kept a promise but also defended his record, while his 2018 letter was a plain exit on principle. For most people, the better path is the simple one: state that you are leaving, give your last day, say thanks, and sign off politely.
When you are ready to write yours, start with our guide on how to write a resignation letter or pick a ready-to-edit short resignation letter.
