Bully Priti’s Home Office has sacked 12 staff... for bullying
Home Secretary clings on to her job despite breaking rules
OFFICIALS in Priti Patel’s department fired a dozen staff in two years for “bullying, harassment, discrimination or offensive behaviour”, we can reveal.
Patel has controversially refused to quit as Home Secretary after herself being found to have bullied and sworn at civil servants.
Three staff were sacked in 2019 and nine more in 2018, a freedom of information request has disclosed.
Another 12 had “formal action taken” against them in 2018, with seven last year.
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 John son’ s independent adviser Sir Alex Allan ruled Patel, 48, broke the ministerial code.
But the Prime Minister’s refusal to accept the judgment against a close ally has been criticised.
Shadow Business Minister Lucy Powell told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday show: “If you are found guilty 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 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 Johnson ignored his findings but Patel 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.”
I think it’s appalling that the PM has not sacked her LUCY POWELL SHADOW BUSINESS MINISTER