DOMINIC RAAB has been accused of “hiding from accountability” following reports he blocked the reappointment of the victims commissioner for England and Wales. 

Dame Vera Baird QC stepped down from the role in September after the government made the unusual decision to recruit for her position rather than reappointing her, as had happened with her predecessor.  

In her resignation letter, Ms Baird said the Justice Secretary had “encouraged her to apply” on two occasions earlier in the year before, saying that there would be no appointment from the recruitment process. 

Now reports in the Guardian claim that Mr Raab intervened to prevent Ms Baird from staying in the watchdog role. The position still remains empty, and is unlikely to be filled until spring, the newspaper said. 

Victims groups have condemned the move, saying that failure to fill the watchdog role means no-one is in post to hold the government to account and scrutinise their decisions as the long-delayed victims Bill makes its way through Parliament. 

Victim Support chief executive Diana Fawcett said: “This situation is unsustainable and unacceptable and the government must rectify this urgently.”

The End Violence Against Women coalition warned at the time of Ms Baird’s resignation that the unfilled role would add to the “instability facing victims at such a critical time for tackling violence against women and girls.”

Civil liberties group Liberty said reports Mr Raab had blocked the reappointment was the latest example of the Justice Secretary’s attempts to “hide from accountability.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said it was working “as quickly as possible” to fill the victims commissioner role.

• Mr Raab faces five fresh complaints of bullying, which have been added to the investigation against him.