London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Boris Johnson backs Priti Patel after bullying claim

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed Home Secretary Priti Patel following bullying claims made by the ex-top civil servant in her department.

Sir Philip Rutnam, the Home Office's most senior official, resigned on Saturday citing a "vicious and orchestrated" campaign against him.

The BBC has also learnt that a formal complaint about Ms Patel's conduct was made when she was employment minister.

The home secretary has previously denied she mistreated staff.

Speaking during a visit to Public Health England in North London, Mr Johnson said he "absolutely" has confidence in Ms Patel.

"I think she's a fantastic home secretary" he said.

"Anybody who's been home secretary will testify that is one of the toughest jobs in government."

He added that he was "full of admiration for our civil service and the job that they do".

In his statement on Saturday, Sir Philip said he received allegations that Ms Patel's conduct towards employees included "swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands".

He said he now intended to take legal action against the Home Office on the basis of constructive dismissal.

Responding to Sir Philip's departure, shadow chancellor John McDonnell told Sky News the situation was "unprecedented" and suggested that Ms Patel was "on the way out".


'Hostile and unhappy'

The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw has also learnt that a formal complaint about Ms Patel's conduct was made when she was employment minister at the Department for Work and Pensions. The substance of it is not known, nor whether it was substantiated or followed up.

The complaint is believed to have been made by a member of her private office - a team of six to eight civil servants which works closely with an individual minister.

A spokesman for Ms Patel said she was "not aware" of the complaint and the government, while it did not deny the claim, said it would not comment on personnel issues.

One Whitehall insider said Ms Patel had created a "hostile and unhappy" environment for civil servants there by questioning their capability and undermining their performance.

"I felt very sorry for people in her private office - they felt bullied," they said.

David Penman - head of the FDA union which represents senior civil servants - said no formal complaints had been made about Ms Patel in her time at the Home Office but added "that needs to taken in the context that there is no formal policy for making complaints against ministers: no code, no procedure, no transparency."

"Staff will have zero confidence in a process which is basically 'trust the Cabinet office behind closed doors to deal with it'."

Speaking earlier to the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Hancock described Ms Patel as "very determined" but also "extremely courteous".

Labour leadership contenders have also commented on Sir Philip's departure, with Rebecca Long-Bailey calling it "an example of this Tory government in disarray" and Lisa Nandy saying the Home Office was "in chaos".

Labour's Sir Keir Starmer called for an immediate investigation and said Ms Patel should come to Parliament to "explain the allegations".

And the former head of the civil service, Lord Kerslake, argued that the home secretary might have to resign if Sir Philip wins his legal action.

Lord Kerslake, who has previously advised the Labour Party, said the resignation - and the way in which Sir Philip left - was "extraordinary", adding that it will send "shockwaves" through most of the civil service.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Sunday he said: "Every institution can do better and that's true for the civil service as well, but what you don't do is go to war with the civil service."

According to BBC correspondent Iain Watson, allies of Ms Patel are privately suggesting that Sir Philip was not up to the demands of the job.

The Home Office has to deliver on two key election pledges - recruiting more police officers and swiftly introducing a new, post-Brexit immigration system.

It will also have to respond to a soon-to-be published independent report on the Windrush scandal - which saw many of those who had arrived in Caribbean countries between 1958 and 1971 detained or deported despite having the right to live in the UK.

Asked if the prime minister had full confidence in Ms Patel, a Downing Street source said Mr Johnson had full confidence in his cabinet.

Head of the civil service Sir Mark Sedwill thanked Sir Philip for his "long and dedicated career of public service" and said he received the resignation "with great regret".

He said Shona Dunn, who had been Sir Philip's deputy, will become acting permanent secretary.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×