‘Fantastic’ Patel gets backing of top Tories
THE Prime Minister last night confirmed he “absolutely” trusts Priti Patel following allegations that the Home Secretary led a campaign to oust her chief civil servant.
Boris Johnson and other senior Tories rallied to defend Ms Patel after Sir Philip Rutnam quit the Home Office accusing her of “vicious” behaviour.
Party figures insisted Ms Patel was “determined” to shake up the Whitehall department but rejected claims of bullying against her.
Mr Johnson said: “I absolutely do have confidence in Priti Patel. I think she is a fantastic Home Secretary.
“It is never an easy job, as anyone who has been Home Secretary will testify. It is one of the toughest jobs in Government.
“There is a big, big task ahead of us now. We are delivering, at last, a new immigration system. That will take a lot of work by the Home Office, a fantastic department.” Ms Patel has been under fire since Sir Philip resigned on Saturday.
He claimed a “vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign” had been run against him by ministers and threatened to launch a legal action for constructive dismissal.
The outgoing permanent secretary also claimed to have received reports of her “shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock defended her yesterday saying: “Priti is a very determined Home Secretary. In every dealing I’ve had with her she has been very courteous.”
Former Tory transport minister Nusrat Ghani suggested she may have ruffled male mandarins.
She said: “I do think it’s curious that if you’re providing leadership, if you’re determined, working at a fantastic pace, that in men that is seen as a fantastic skill and for women sometimes it’s seen as challenging.”
Labour leadership candidate Sir Keir Starmer said: “The Home Secretary has a duty to come to Parliament on Monday to explain the allegations.”