Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PRITI.. AWFUL
Top aide quits and brands her lying bully
PRITI Patel’s future is uncertain today after her top civil servant quit and branded her a liar.
Sir Philip Rutnam accused the Home Secretary of bullying staff and waging a “vicious” campaign to drive him out.
He said it included false claims that he had briefed journalists against her – and he did not believe her denials of involvement.
Sir Philip said: “I have received allegations that her conduct has included shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands – behaviour that created fear and needed some bravery to call out.”
The Home Office Permanent Secretary said he would sue for constructive dismissal. A source said: “Priti must be toast. What he says to an employment tribunal will be dynamite.”
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett said it was “the clearest sign yet of the underlying right-wing, authoritarian but incompetent nature of the Government. They will not tolerate dissent, yet can’t cope with flooding or a possible pandemic.” Sir Philip’s bombshell resignation yesterday led to calls from unions for PM Boris Johnson to stop what they claim is a campaign by his chief adviser Dominic Cummings to undermine the civil service. It comes two weeks after Sajid Javid quit as Chancellor after he was ordered to fire his aides.
Sir Philip said he had been “the target of a vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign” and his experience was part of a “wider pattern” in government. Speaking out had cost him a generous payoff offered to buy his silence, he said.
Lord Kerslake, former head of the civil service, said Sir Philip’s departure was “quite extraordinary” and “unprecedented”.
He added: “For him to have done this – he must have been pushed to the limit and beyond.”
Ms Patel was sacked as International Development Secretary in November 2017 by ex-PM Theresa May for holding unauthorised meetings with Israelis. Mr Johnson brought her back into the Cabinet last July.