I regret senior civil servant’s exit, says Patel as she appeals for unity
HOME Secretary Priti Patel has said she regrets the decision of the Home Office’s most senior civil servant to quit and urged staff in the department to come together as “one team”.
Sir Philip Rutnam dramatically announced at the weekend that he was standing down as permanent secretary, claiming constructive dismissal and accusing Ms Patel of bullying her subordinates.
The BBC reported that in a joint email to staff written with Sir Philip’s interim successor Shona Dunn, Ms Patel insisted they cared about the wellbeing of all employees.
The message expressed their gratitude to staff for their continuing hard work and “commitment to deliver the Government’s priorities”.
“We both deeply value the work that every person in this department does and care about the wellbeing of all our staff,” the pair wrote.
“It is therefore a time for us all to come together as one team.
“We also recognise the importance of candour, confidentiality and courtesy in building trust and confidence between ministers and civil servants.
“Both of us are fully committed to making sure the professionalism you would expect to support this is upheld.
“We both regret Sir Philip’s decision to resign.
“He had a long and dedicated career of public service for which we thank him.”
The email comes after Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove announced on Monday there would be an inquiry into allegations Ms Patel had broken the ministerial code.
Boris Johnson has expressed his full confidence in Ms Patel, who he promoted to one of the great offices of state after she had previously been sacked from the Cabinet by Theresa May. However, some Tory MPs have questioned how much longer she can carry on in the job.
Labour, meanwhile, has complained that the inquiry into her conduct, to be carried out by the Cabinet Office, is not fully independent.
In his televised resignation statement, Sir Philip accused Ms Patel of orchestrating a “vicious” campaign against him, of lying about her involvement in it and of creating a climate of fear in her department.
Ms Patel has denied the allegations.
The Home Office declined to comment on the email.
Earlier, Diane Abbott insisted Ms Patel should stand down while complaints against her were being looked into.
The shadow home secretary was speaking after the Prime Minister asked the Cabinet Office to “establish the facts” following allegations that Ms Patel had breached the ministerial code in relation to her dealings with officials.
Ms Abbott told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “You can’t have a government that’s at war with its civil servants.
“We want a genuinely independent inquiry, a lawyer-led inquiry and something that can be seen to be independent.
“I’m afraid it would be better if she stepped down.
“We are calling on her to step down whilst the inquiry goes on.”