Priti Patel allies mount fightback after slew of bullying allegations saying Home Secretary has ‘never crossed a line’ on treatment of colleagues
- Home Secretary Priti Patel has been facing a slew of bullying allegations
- Allies of the minister insist she has ‘never crossed a line’ despite pressure
- Ms Patel denies all the claims against her, which relate to three departments
Priti Patel’s allies mounted a fightback today after a slew of bullying allegations left her political future hanging in the balance.
A letter signed by nearly 100 supporters claims the Home Secretary has ‘never crossed a line’ even in situations where she was under ‘extreme pressure’.
The backers – including former Charity Commission chief William Shawcross and Tory election guru Sir Lynton Crosby – praise her determination to ‘ask tough questions’ of officials.
‘We do not recognise the picture that has been painted of her this week,’ they said.
‘There’s no argument that she is a tough, assertive and effective leader, but even under extreme pressure she has never crossed a line or lost her temper.
‘She expects high standards, as a strong leader should, but is always professional. She gives her all for this country and deserves far better treatment than she has received.’
Boris Johnson has said he is ‘sticking by’ Ms Patel after allegations emerged about her treatment of officials in three separate Government departments during her ministerial career.
But the PM has ordered a Cabinet Office inquiry into the claims – all of which Ms Patel denies.
A letter signed by nearly 100 supporters claims Home Secretary Priti Patel (pictured with Boris Johnson at PMQs this week) has ‘never crossed a line’ even in situations where she was under ‘extreme pressure’
The allegations include that there were a ‘tsunami’ of abuse complaints by officials against Ms Patel at the Department for International Development.
She has been accused of throwing a folder at an aide, and ‘belittling’ members of staff.
A former aide at the Department for Work and Pensions was reported to have received a £25,000 payout from the Government, having said she was bullied by Ms Patel when she was employment minister.
The top civil servant at the Home Office, Sir Philip Rutnam, dramatically resigned at the weekend accusing Ms Patel of a ‘vicious and orchestrated campaign’ against him abuses and saying he plans to sue for contructive dismissal.
The signatories of the letter to the Telegraph also include Tory peers Lords Rami, Suri and Leigh.
A spokesman for Ms Patel said: ‘The Home Secretary categorically denies all of these allegations.’
The top civil servant at the Home Office, Sir Philip Rutnam (pictured), dramatically resigned at the weekend accusing Ms Patel of a ‘vicious and orchestrated campaign’ against him