Priti Patel bullying claims aren’t as dead as we’ve been led to believe
Priti Patel and Boris Johnson: allies against the civil service?
Isn’t this interesting?
Way back at the end of April, we were all being told that Priti Patel would be cleared of all allegations that she bullied civil servants in three separate government departments
Yes, the claim prompted condemnation of the Cabinet Office inquiry process, which is conducted in secret and offers no recourse for complainants.
And Boris Johnson has already been criticised for compromising the process by insisting, before the inquiry had concluded, that he would continue to support Patel.
When This Site published a story about it, I wrote that the courts had yet to hear the case of Sir Philip Rutnam, the former permanent secretary to the Home Office, who had brought a case of constructive dismissal against Ms Patel.
I pointed out that the whole Cabinet Office inquiry process would be brought into question if the courts find against Ms Patel.
Now it seems the result of the inquiry has been delayed by the senior civil servant carrying it out, Helen MacNamara, after she heard evidence supporting Sir Philip’s claims.
Here’s The Independent (because The Times is behind a paywall):
The Times has reported a stand-off between Ms MacNamara, the Cabinet Office’s head of propriety and ethics, and her political masters.
The article suggested the inquiry report will never be published, unless the prime minister is able to say the investigation found no conclusive evidence of bullying, an outcome that Ms MacNamara is resisting.
It would be corrupt if the government suppressed the inquiry’s report to save the blushes of a bullying cabinet member.
If Patel has behaved inappropriately towards civil servants in the Home Office, Department of Work and Pensions and Department of International Trade, then she should be removed from any position of responsibility.
Basically, she should be sacked in disgrace.
If Boris Johnson, the prime minister, is shown to have tried to exert undue influence to prevent the facts from reaching the public, then he should resign.
No wonder the Labour Party – and others including the FDA union that represents public service managers – is demanding the report’s release.
And the court case still hasn’t taken place. What will Johnson do about that?
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
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