Priti Patel ‘will be handed written warning by Boris Johnson over staff bullying allegations but will NOT lose her job as Home Secretary’
- Report into Home Secretary’s alleged behaviour ordered by the PM in March
- Centred on claims she belittled and clashed with officials in three departments
- She denies all allegations and allies say she is a ‘demanding’ boss but not a bully
Boris Johnson will not fire Priti Patel as Home Secretary over allegations of bullying, it was claimed today.
The results of a report into allegations the senior Cabinet minister belittled her staff at various departments are due to be published ‘imminently’ according to reports.
It comes after the former head of the Civil Service Sir Mark Sedwill said that the report, ordered in March, had been on the Prime Minister’s desk in September.
Demands have been growing for the publication of its findings into Ms Patel’s conduct in recent weeks and it is due to be released shortly, the Financial Times reported today.
It said she would be handed a written warning but not lose her Cabinet post.
The probe was launched over allegations that Ms Patel belittled colleagues and clashed with senior officials in three different departments.
Sir Philip Rutnam, who was the Home Office’s permanent secretary, quit earlier this year, accusing Ms Patel of a ‘vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign’ against him and is claiming constructive dismissal at an employment tribunal.
Ms Patel has expressed concern at the ‘false’ claims and she denies all allegations of bullying. Allies have described her as a ‘demanding’ boss but not a bully.
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: ‘Reports that the Home Secretary is to receive a written warning for conduct in government are incredibly serious.
‘The role of Home Secretary comes with huge levels of responsibility and trust. It is now vital that the full report is published without delay, so the public can have full confidence in the decision-making process.’
Demands have been growing for the publication of its findings into Ms Patel’s conduct. in recent weeks and it is due to be released shortly, the Financial Times reported today
It said she would be handed a written warning by Mr Johnson but not lose her Cabinet post over its findings
Sir Philip Rutnam, who was the Home Office’s permanent secretary, quit earlier this year, accusing Ms Patel of a ‘vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign’ against him and is claiming constructive dismissal at an employment tribunal.
Despite daily questions to Downing Street, the result of the probe has yet to be revealed.
FDA union general secretary Dave Penman today said: ‘Thousands of civil servants who support ministers every day are waiting to see whether (Mr) Johnson will honour the commitments he gave when he took up office, or whether difficult party political considerations will outweigh his obligations as PM.’
Appearing in front of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee this week, Lord Sedwill said He said: ‘I couldn’t tell you exactly, but the Cabinet Office, the proprietary and ethics team under me, were asked to establish the facts.
‘The Prime Minister then consults his independent adviser on ministerial interests Alex Allan.
‘And that process was certainly under way – it hadn’t concluded by the time I left, it was certainly under way.
‘I think Alex had been in discussions with the Prime Minister, I don’t know the exact date of when that part of the process was submitted to the PM but it was under way, it was with him, as I understand it.’