Boris backs Patel over ‘bullying’

london — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to fire or censure his interior minister on

Friday despite an investigator’s conclusion that she bullied members of her staff. A report said Home Secretary Priti Patel had not met the standards required of a government minister, and concluded her behaviour fit the definition of bullying.

Cabinet ministers found to have breached the ministerial code are generally expected to resign. But the government said the prime minister had “full confidence” in Patel and “considers this matter now closed.” Johnson’s adviser Alex Allan, who led the investigation into Patel, resigned instead, saying he could not continue in his job.

london — British interior minister Priti Patel said on Friday she was sorry if she had upset people after an investigation into allegations of bullying.

“I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people. It has never been my intention to cause upset to anyone,” Patel said in a statement. “I am very grateful for the hard work of thousands of civil servants who help to deliver the government’s agenda.”

Patel thanked Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his support after he judged she had not broken the ministerial code.

“I acknowledge that I am direct and have at times got frustrated,” she said. “I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his support.”

Colleagues defended Patel after the BBC and other media reported that that inquiry looking into claims of bullying against her concluded she had broken ministerial rules.

“In my extensive dealings with Priti Patel she’s been nothing but courteous and kind,” Health Minister Matt Hancock, who said he had not read the report, told Sky News, echoing other messages of support on Twitter. Patel has always rejected accusations of bullying.

The report was concluded in the summer, but Johnson has not published it, leading to accusations he was staging a cover-up.

The issue comes at a difficult time for Johnson, who is trying to reset his government after his top adviser Dominic

Cummings left Downing Street last week and the prime minister grapples with divisions in his ruling Conservative Party over his Covid-19 policies.

“The process is ongoing and the prime minister will make any decision on the matter public once the process has concluded,” a government spokeswoman said following the media reports.

The Johnson government has had an uneasy relationship with senior officials, with several leaving their posts since his election win last December, as part of what was viewed as Cummings’ desire to shake up the civil service.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, home affairs spokesman for the opposition Labour Party, said the full report should be published and the Independent Committee on Standards in Public Life should investigate Johnson and Patel. —

I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people. It has never been my intention to cause upset to anyone. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his support. Priti Patel, British interior minister