Who is Dominic Raab? The political career of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deputy

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will step in "where necessary" as the Prime Minister is admitted into intensive care
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Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will now stand in to lead the UK's coronavirus response "where necessary" as Boris Johnson goes into intensive care to battle for his life.

Mr Raab had been prior selected to deputise for Mr Johnson in the event that the PM became too unwell to carry out his duties.

Mr Johnson had been leading the country from self-isolation in his Downing Street flat since testing positive for coronavirus on Friday March 27.

But as his symptoms persisted he was admitted to St Thomas' hospital in London on Sunday before his conditions worsened and he was put into intensive care on Monday evening.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus

Here, we take a look at Mr Raab's political career thus far as he steps in to lead the country.

Who is Dominic Raab?

Born in Buckinghamshire, Mr Raab is the current Foreign secretary and former Brexit Secretary.

He attended Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, before going to study law at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford and a master's degree at Jesus College, Cambridge.

Starting his career, he worked at Linklaters in London and qualified as a solicitor in 2000.

He joined the Foreign Office in the same year and worked as Chief of Staff to Shadow Home Secretary David Davis and to Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Grieve from 2006 to 2010.

Mr Raab was elected to Parliament in 2010 to represent Esher and Walton and he was re-elected in 2015 and 2017.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (right) walks from the Foreign Office towards 10 Downing Street
AFP via Getty Images

He was an active campaigner for leaving the EU during the 2016 referendum and in July 2018 he was appointed Brexit Secretary.

But he resigned just a few months later in November over the Cabinet's position on the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Following the resignation of Theresa May in 2019, Mr Raab entered the Conservative Party leadership race, but came in sixth place.

After Boris Johnson's win, he appointed Mr Raab Foreign Secretary and handed him the additional title First Secretary of State, meaning he is the most senior member of the Cabinet.

Will Dominic Raab take over as Prime Minister from Boris Johnson?

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will “deputise where necessary” as Mr Johnson goes into intensive care, a No 10 spokesman said.

As First Secretary of State, Mr Raab has been on standby to take charge should the PM's condition deteriorate.

The spokesman added: “Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.

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“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital.

“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.

“The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”

Political career highlights

The highlights of Mr Raab's career include several senior positions in the Cabinet.

After actively campaigning for the UK to leave the EU, he was appointed Brexit Secretary in 2018, but quit soon after over "fatal flaws" in the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement.

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He was appointed Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State - the highest ranking position in the Cabinet - by the Prime Minister last year.

At the time, he said: "I'm hugely humbled to take on this role at this time and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead."

In October last year, Mr Raab stood in for Mr Johnson for Prime Minister's Questions.

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