Conservative Voice sings Priti’s praises

FOLLOWING a flurry of accusations of bullying, home secretary Priti Patel was defended last week in a statement by 100 allies, including election guru sir Lynton Crosby and william shawcross, former chief of the Charity Commission.

Patel (pictured) faces a Cabinet office investigation into the allegations (which she denies) after sir Philip Rutnam, the home office’s most senior civil servant, quit last month and vowed to sue the government for constructive dismissal.

But while her critics continue to simmer with rage, i can reveal that she’s set to receive

another impassioned cry of support — this time from Conservative Voice, a group which was set up to campaign for Thatcherite values. it follows a recent survey of 875 Conservative Voice members, in which an overwhelming 96 per cent backed her. it was a ringing endorsement, and some of the replies to the survey, which has been sent to Boris Johnson, don’t hold back. one member wrote: ‘Priti Patel is the only home secretary in recent years who is in tune with what the people want. Because of this, she is being harassed by an out of control Civil service.’ Another said: ‘ Boris must support her. it would look incredibly weak to allow her to be bullied out of office.’ But my favourite has to be: ‘we didn’t leave the EU to be governed by our own unelected technocrats. ‘This is especially true in the home office which is not fit for purpose.’ over to you, Pm.