IWrote novel on an iPhone
OFFICIALS in Priti Patel’s department fired a dozen staff in two years for “bullying, harassment, discrimination or offensive behaviour”, we can reveal.
Ms Patel has controversially refused to quit as Home Secretary after herself being found to have bullied and sworn at civil servants.
Three Home Office staff were sacked in 2019 and nine more in 2018, a freedom of information request has disclosed. Another 12 employees faced “formal action” in 2018, with seven last year.
Ms Patel, appointed in July 2019, has clung to her job despite an independent standards probe saying she bullied, shouted and swore.
Yesterday it emerged the report into her conduct found she told civil servants they were “f***ing useless”.
Boris Johnson’s independent adviser Sir Alex
Allan ruled Ms Patel, 48, broke the ministerial code.
But the PM’s refusal to accept the judgment against a close ally has been slated. Shadow Business Minister Lucy Powell told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday show: “If you are found of breaking the ministerial code, your position is completely untenable.
“I think it’s appalling the Prime Minister has decided to back her instead of sacking her.”
But Chancellor Rishi Sunak said Mr Johnson did not believe she was a bully. He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “Bullying is not appropriate and not an effective way to get the best out of people. I don’t think shouting is effective, but it is necessary sometimes to be direct to drive progress.” He added: “I’ve found Priti to be kind and passionate about what she does.”
Sir Alex quit after Mr Johnson ignored his findings. Ms Patel has said: “I’m absolutely sorry for the upset caused.”
Matthew Rycroft, the top civil servant at the Home Office said last week: “Relationships between ministers and officials have improved considerably.”
Powell yesterday
LUCY POWELL SHADOW BUSINESS MINISTER
A DYSLEXIC pensioner wrote his debut novel on his iPhone so its autocorrect would help his typing.
Alan Pilcher, 72, said his family gave “huge amounts of encouragement”.
Arc of Doubt by the retired builder from Gosport, Hants, is £6.99 from Amazon.
I think it’s appalling that the PM has not sacked her