Honour no longer a virtue for the PM

BORIS JOHNSON’S decision to reject a finding that Home Secretary Priti Patel had broken the ministerial code in her dealings with civil servants provides further evidence that honour is no longer a virtue considered worthy by the current UK Government.

After a Cabinet Office inquiry, the Prime Minister’s adviser on standards Sir Alex Allan said Ms Patel’s conduct “amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying”, finding that she had breached the ministerial code, even if unintentionally.

Seizing on that caveat, Mr Johnson dismissed the report by insisting that the code had not been breached.

He went on to say he had full confidence in the Home Secretary, and took to WhatsApp urging Tory colleagues to “form a square around the Prittster”.

Things have got beyond the point where we simply draw the conclusion that Mr Johnson’s behaviour is unacceptable.

He seems immune to criticism and unable to recognise when ministerial conduct has breached boundaries that should remain intact.

We sympathise fully with Sir Alex’s decision to resign. With the PM ignoring his conclusions, his position had become untenable.

But he should not be the one leaving.

Whichever party is in power, civil servants have a right to be treated with respect by the ministers they serve. We have a civil service which is politically neutral, and where those in post retain their jobs when the administration changes.

An incoming government of a different persuasion has the right to be treated in the same way as its predecessor. Equally, ministers must develop good working relationships with the civil servants who are there to offer them advice.

Intemperate behaviour and bullying are unacceptable in any employment situation, but the public deserves to know that those working at the highest level of government are conducting themselves in a civilised and respectful manner.

It seems clear, from Sir Alex’s conclusions, that Ms Patel was not living up to the standards that should be expected.

Clearly Mr Johnson is prepared to overlook all manner of transgressions by his ministers.

Robert Jenrick was permitted to remain in the Cabinet despite evidence that he helped out a major Tory donor in a planning row. And only this week it emerged that lucrative PPE contracts were handed out to Tory cronies without competition.

It’s a matter of great regret that for as long as Mr Johnson is in office we can expect more of this.