| It's hard to see the call on whether to get rid of Raab as anything other than a lose-lose situation for Sunak. Raab is his deputy and the second most senior member of the government. More than that, he has been one of Sunak's closest political allies and was among the first to endorse him for Conservative Party leader last summer. While civil servants may have good reason not to like Raab, prime ministers do like him. Boris Johnson also made him deputy PM, and he has a reputation for being extremely loyal to his political superiors — a rare thing in recent Tory politics.  Dominic Raab departs 10, Downing Street on April 18. Photographer: Leon Neal/Getty Images There is another dynamic that might not get much sympathy in the media or among the public, but is nonetheless an important consideration for Downing Street. Some figures on the right of the Tory party, from backbenchers to ministers to even some No. 10 officials, believe Raab is essentially the victim of a stitch-up from civil servants who they see as either wet behind the ears or, that dreaded word, "woke." That means Sunak is under pressure from some elements of his party not to bow to pressure to sack Raab. The reality, rightly or wrongly, is that Sunak losing his deputy over civil service complaints and media reports would be viewed by some Tories as a sign of weakness. Still, the PM might consider that better than the storm that would be created by trying to keep him. On day one in No. 10, Sunak pledged to run a government based on the principles of "integrity and accountability." Translation: I'm different to what came before.  Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. Photographer: 10 Downing Street If the report does find evidence that Raab's behavior fell short of the high standards we'd expect from a minister, and then Sunak defies calls to sack him, it is hard to see how the PM could say he has kept that defining pledge. The opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat parties would have a field day. My colleagues in the media would, too. That's not to mention the response from the civil service and the potential for the saga to rumble on for weeks. That would drive a coach and horses through No. 10's narrative that their government is focused on competence and delivering for the public, rather than getting distracted by political scandals. That would be the sort of setback that Sunak can't afford. It may be the key thing on his mind as he weighs up whether to wield the axe today. Harrods is doing better than before the pandemic. That's what the luxury store's Managing Director Michael Ward says in this week's episode of the In the City podcast. While mid-market labels are feeling the squeeze, super-brands like Chanel and Dior are thriving, Ward explains. "The great thing about the luxury industry is it's price insensitive," he says. "The rich get richer, and that's the world." You can listen to the full episode on Apple podcasts or on Spotify.  The Harrods luxury department store in London, UK. Photographer: Hollie Adams/Getty Images Europe | 
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