Peer criticises lengthy delay over inquiry into Patel bullying claims
DELAYS SURROUNDING an investigation into claims Home Secretary Priti Patel bullied staff are “intolerable” and are not fair to either side, the Government has been told.
One Liberal Democrat peer raised concerns at Westminster over the hold- up to the inquiry, which was set up eight months ago. A Cabinet Office investigation was launched in March over allegations that Ms Patel belittled colleagues and clashed with senior officials in three different departments.
Sir Philip Rutnam, who was the Home Office’s permanent secretary, quit earlier this year, accusing the Cabinet minister of a “vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign” against him and is claiming constructive dismissal at an employment tribunal.
Ms Patel has expressed concern at the “false” claims, and allies have described her as a “demanding” boss but not a bully. The head of the Civil Service recently told MPs it was up to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to draw conclusions from the Whitehall probe and decide whether to make its report public.
Responding to questions in the House of Lords on the slow progress of the inquiry, Cabinet Office Minister Lord True said: The Prime Minister will make any decision on the matter public once the process has concluded.”
But Liberal Democrat Lord Tyler said: “Justice delayed is justice denied. Surely for civil servants in the Home Office past and present, this long delay – eight months – is intolerable.
“In accord with natural justice, can the minister confirm that nobody with a personal or political interest will have had any involvement whatsoever in the independent investigation into the behaviour of the Home Secretary, its report or the timing of the publication of that report, and that clearly rules out any involvement by the Prime Minister?”
Lord True said: “I can certainly confirm the process is independent. To protect the interests of all involved, the Government doesn’t comment on the specifics of this kind of ongoing process.”