Priti Patel: Bullying inquiry head quits as PM backs home secretary - BBC News

PA Media

Boris Johnson's adviser on the ministerial code has resigned after the PM backed Home Secretary Priti Patel over a bullying inquiry.

The government's standards adviser Sir Alex Allan found that Ms Patel's behaviour had breached the code.

But Mr Johnson rejected Sir Alex's findings and said he had "full confidence" in Ms Patel.

Ms Patel released a statement saying she was sorry "that my behaviour in the past has upset people".

Ministers are normally expected to resign if they break the code and there are no known cases of a minister staying in post following a breach.

• In full: Summary of Patel bullying report
• Profile: Priti Patel

A government statement said Mr Johnson was "reassured that the home secretary is sorry for inadvertently upsetting those with whom she was working".

"He is also reassured that relationships, practices and culture in the Home Office are much improved," it said.

Sir Alex announced his resignation as the prime minister released his statement on the report's findings.

"I recognise that it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the ministerial code," he said.

"But I feel that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister's independent adviser on the code."

'Upset people'

In his findings, Sir Alex said Ms Patel "has not consistently met the high standards required by the ministerial code of treating her civil servants with consideration and respect" and cited examples of "shouting and swearing".

He added: "Her approach on occasions has amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying in terms of the impact felt by individuals.

"To that extent her behaviour has been in breach of the ministerial code, even if unintentionally."

However, he added that the home secretary had "legitimately - not always felt supported by the department".

"In addition, no feedback was given to the home secretary of the impact of her behaviour, which meant she was unaware of issues that she could otherwise have addressed."

In a statement, Ms Patel said "I am direct and have at times got frustrated", but added: "It has never been my intention to cause upset to anyone."

"I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people," she said.

The prime minister's spokesman has said Boris Johnson came to a different review from his independent adviser on whether the home secretary broke the ministerial code "after weighing up all the different factors".

What is the ministerial code?

• Government document setting out "expected standards" of behaviour in office, which include "consideration and respect" for civil servants and other colleagues
• In the foreword, Boris Johnson says: "There must be no bullying and no harassment."
• Ministers are normally expected to resign if they are found to have broken the code
• There had not previously been any known cases of a minister staying in post following a breach
• Ministers who have stepped down include Liam Fox, over taking a friend and lobbyist on official trips, and Mark Field, who grabbed a climate protester
• The code has existed since the Second World War but was not made public until 1992

Responding to the news, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Yet again, the prime minister has been found wanting when his leadership has been tested.

"If I were prime minister, the home secretary would have been removed from her job."

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said "Priti Patel has broken the ministerial code, the PM should have sacked her.

"He seems to believe there is one rule for him and his friends and another rule for everyone else - totally unacceptable."

The head of the civil servants' union FDA Dave Penman said: "What is the point of the investigation if actually what we're saying is it doesn't matter what evidence has been found, it doesn't matter what the PM's own adviser on the ministerial code says, if it's politically convenient for the PM to ignore it, he will ignore it.

"The PM in his foreword to the ministerial code said there will be no bullying and no harassment, he didn't mean it, those words are hollow now."

The inquiry was launched by Boris Johnson in March, following the resignation of top civil servant at the Home Office Sir Philip Rutnam. Sir Philip - who is suing the government for constructive dismissal - alleged staff felt Ms Patel had "created fear".

Sir Alex Allan's report examined Ms Patel's behaviour at three different government departments - the Home Office, Work and Pensions and International Development.

Sir Keir has called for his report to be published in full but the Cabinet Office has insisted there is no full report, just a collection of evidence containing witness statements.

The prime minister's spokesman said it wouldn't be "right or proper" to publish all the documents.

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2020-11-20 12:51:00Z
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Priti Patel: Bullying inquiry head quits as PM backs home secretary - BBC News

PA Media

Boris Johnson's adviser on the ministerial code has resigned after the PM backed Home Secretary Priti Patel over a bullying inquiry.

The government's standards adviser Sir Alex Allan found that Ms Patel's behaviour had breached the code.

But Mr Johnson rejected Sir Alex's findings and said he had "full confidence" in Ms Patel.

Ms Patel released a statement saying she was sorry "that my behaviour in the past has upset people".

Ministers are normally expected to resign if they break the code and there are no known cases of a minister staying in post following a breach.

• In full: Summary of Patel bullying report
• Profile: Priti Patel

A government statement said Mr Johnson was "reassured that the home secretary is sorry for inadvertently upsetting those with whom she was working".

"He is also reassured that relationships, practices and culture in the Home Office are much improved," it said.

Sir Alex announced his resignation as the prime minister released his statement on the report's findings.

"I recognise that it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the ministerial code," he said.

"But I feel that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister's independent adviser on the code."

'Upset people'

In his findings, Sir Alex said Ms Patel "has not consistently met the high standards required by the ministerial code of treating her civil servants with consideration and respect" and cited examples of "shouting and swearing".

He added: "Her approach on occasions has amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying in terms of the impact felt by individuals.

"To that extent her behaviour has been in breach of the ministerial code, even if unintentionally."

However, he added that the home secretary had "legitimately - not always felt supported by the department".

"In addition, no feedback was given to the home secretary of the impact of her behaviour, which meant she was unaware of issues that she could otherwise have addressed."

In a statement, Ms Patel said "I am direct and have at times got frustrated", but added: "It has never been my intention to cause upset to anyone."

"I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people," she said.

What is the ministerial code?

• Government document setting out "expected standards" of behaviour in office, which include "consideration and respect" for civil servants and other colleagues
• In the foreword, Boris Johnson says: "There must be no bullying and no harassment."
• Ministers are normally expected to resign if they are found to have broken the code
• There had not previously been any known cases of a minister staying in post following a breach
• Ministers who have stepped down include Liam Fox, over taking a friend and lobbyist on official trips, and Mark Field, who grabbed a climate protester
• The code has existed since the Second World War but was not made public until 1992

Responding to the news, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Yet again, the prime minister has been found wanting when his leadership has been tested.

"If I were prime minister, the home secretary would have been removed from her job."

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said "Priti Patel has broken the ministerial code, the PM should have sacked her.

"He seems to believe there is one rule for him and his friends and another rule for everyone else - totally unacceptable."

The head of the civil servants' union FDA Dave Penman said: "What is the point of the investigation if actually what we're saying is it doesn't matter what evidence has been found, it doesn't matter what the PM's own adviser on the ministerial code says, if it's politically convenient for the PM to ignore it, he will ignore it.

"The PM in his forward to the ministerial code said there will be no bullying and no harassment, he didn't mean it, those words are hollow now."

The inquiry was launched by Boris Johnson in March, following the resignation of top civil servant at the Home Office Sir Philip Rutnam. Sir Philip - who is suing the government for constructive dismissal - alleged staff felt Ms Patel had "created fear".

Sir Alex Allan's report examined Ms Patel's behaviour at three different government departments - the Home Office, Work and Pensions and International Development.

There is no requirement on the government to publish Sir Alex's report in full.

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2020-11-20 12:16:00Z
52781197589708

Priti Patel: PM to announce decision on home secretary's future - BBC News

EPA

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to set out his decision later on the findings of an inquiry into the conduct of Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Sources familiar with the Cabinet Office report told the BBC it concluded Ms Patel broke rules on ministers' behaviour.

She has always strongly denied allegations of bullying.

Labour said the prime minister appeared to be involved in a "cover up" and called for the report to be published.

Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "If these revelations are correct, it is tantamount to condoning bullying, and in no other workplace would this be acceptable. It smacks of one rule for the government and one rule for everyone else."

• Inquiry 'found Patel broke behaviour rules'
• Patel bullying report 'with the PM' - Sedwill
• Publish Patel claims report - PM adviser

Normally if a minister breaches the code they are expected to resign. But a number of Tory MPs have rallied round Ms Patel, describing her as a determined person doing a tough job.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC she was an "excellent home secretary" who had "been nothing but courteous and kind in all the dealings I've had with her".

Mr Johnson has backed Ms Patel so far and there is little sign that will change.

The inquiry was launched after Home Office boss Sir Philip Rutnam resigned in February.

Sir Philip - who is suing for constructive dismissal - alleged staff felt that Ms Patel had "created fear".

Who is Priti Patel?

PA Media

• Born in London to Gujarati parents who left Uganda in the 1960s, she was educated at Watford Grammar School for Girls before studying at Keele and Essex universities
• Worked at Conservative Central Office, but left to run the press office of the Eurosceptic Referendum Party from 1995 to 1997
• Had a career in public relations before becoming an MP at the 2010 election
• Leading figure in the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum
• Appointed international development secretary by Theresa May
• Resigned from that role in 2017 after it emerged she had conducted unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials
• Tough stance on immigration has made her a popular figure with grassroots Conservatives
• Voted against gay marriage and has advocated bringing back the death penalty in the past but does not support it now

Profile: Priti Patel

The report, carried out by the government's independent adviser on standards, Sir Alex Allan, has not been published.

But one source said it had concluded that the "home secretary had not met the requirements of the ministerial code to treat civil servants with consideration and respect".

They added that the investigation had found evidence of bullying, even if it had not been intentional.

Another source who saw the report called it "unambiguous in stating that Priti Patel broke the ministerial code and that the prime minister buried it".

A spokesman for the home secretary said she had always denied the allegations and that there had never been any formal complaints made against her.

A different government source has suggested that the report also paints an unflattering picture of how Ms Patel was sometimes treated.

What is the ministerial code?

• Government document setting out "expected standards" of behaviour in office, which include "consideration and respect" for civil servants and other colleagues
• In the foreword, Boris Johnson says: "There must be no bullying and no harassment."
• Ministers are normally expected to resign if they are found to have broken the code
• There are no known cases of a minister staying in post following a breach
• Ministers who have stepped down include Liam Fox, over taking a friend and lobbyist on official trips, and Mark Field, who grabbed a climate protester
• The code has existed since the Second World War but was not made public until 1992

The report is understood to have looked at Ms Patel's behaviour at three different government departments - the Home Office, Work and Pensions and International Development.

The evidence gathering was completed several months ago, but Downing Street has delayed giving a decision on the findings.

The prime minister is the ultimate arbiter of the ministerial code, and there is no requirement on the government to publish Sir Alex's report.

The BBC understands there have been conversations in government this week about how to manage the situation, with suggestions that Ms Patel may be given a reprimand, or be asked to apologise, but keep her job.

'Strong and decisive'

Earlier this week former Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill suggested there could be a "wider range of sanctions", telling MPs: "I don't think it should be binary between let off or sacked."

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA senior civil servants' union, said "thousands" of civil servants would be asking what "message" it would send if the government suggested Ms Patel did not have to resign over a "little bit of bullying".

He described the system as not "fit for purpose", adding: "We need an independent process that's not relying upon a prime minister making a political judgement rather than judging based on the evidence."

But several Conservative MPs have offered Ms Patel their support.

Tom Tugendhat tweeted that she was popular "across" the party because she was "hardworking, determined and has been very kind to many".

Another Tory MP, Julie Marson, said the home secretary was doing a "huge job", adding: "Like many women operating in a man's world, you have to be strong and decisive."

Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was "really important" that the report is "properly published".

He added that there may be a balance in the report "between poor behaviour of the civil servants at that stage in charge and also issues or questions over the behaviour of the minister".

Labour called on the Committee on Standards in Public Life to investigate Ms Patel, but the committee chair Lord Evans of Weardale said his body could not look into individual alleged breaches of the rules.

He added there were "weaknesses" in the current standards structures and that his committee was conducting a review into the system.

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2020-11-20 10:58:00Z
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Priti Patel: PM to announce decision on home secretary's future - BBC News

EPA

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to set out his decision later on the findings of an inquiry into the conduct of Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Sources familiar with the Cabinet Office report told the BBC it concluded Ms Patel broke rules on ministers' behaviour.

She has always strongly denied allegations of bullying.

Labour said the prime minister appeared to be involved in a "cover up" and called for the report to be published.

Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "If these revelations are correct, it is tantamount to condoning bullying, and in no other workplace would this be acceptable. It smacks of one rule for the government and one rule for everyone else."

• Inquiry 'found Patel broke behaviour rules'
• Patel bullying report 'with the PM' - Sedwill
• Publish Patel claims report - PM adviser

Normally if a minister breaches the code they are expected to resign. But a number of Tory MPs have rallied round Ms Patel, describing her as a determined person doing a tough job.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC she was an "excellent home secretary" who had "been nothing but courteous and kind in all the dealings I've had with her".

Mr Johnson has backed Ms Patel so far and there is little sign that will change.

The inquiry was launched after Home Office boss Sir Philip Rutnam resigned in February.

Sir Philip - who is suing for constructive dismissal - alleged staff felt that Ms Patel had "created fear".

Who is Priti Patel?

PA Media

• Born in London to Gujarati parents who left Uganda in the 1960s, she was educated at Watford Grammar School for Girls before studying at Keele and Essex universities
• Worked at Conservative Central Office, but left to run the press office of the Eurosceptic Referendum Party from 1995 to 1997
• Had a career in public relations before becoming an MP at the 2010 election
• Leading figure in the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum
• Appointed international development secretary by Theresa May
• Resigned from that role in 2017 after it emerged she had conducted unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials
• Tough stance on immigration has made her a popular figure with grassroots Conservatives
• Voted against gay marriage and has advocated bringing back the death penalty in the past but does not support it now

Profile: Priti Patel

The report, carried out by the government's independent adviser on standards, Sir Alex Allan, has not been published.

But one source said it had concluded that the "home secretary had not met the requirements of the ministerial code to treat civil servants with consideration and respect".

They added that the investigation had found evidence of bullying, even if it had not been intentional.

Another source who saw the report called it "unambiguous in stating that Priti Patel broke the ministerial code and that the prime minister buried it".

A spokesman for the home secretary said she had always denied the allegations and that there had never been any formal complaints made against her.

A different government source has suggested that the report also paints an unflattering picture of how Ms Patel was sometimes treated.

What is the ministerial code?

• Government document setting out "expected standards" of behaviour in office, which include "consideration and respect" for civil servants and other colleagues
• In the foreword, Boris Johnson says: "There must be no bullying and no harassment."
• Ministers are normally expected to resign if they are found to have broken the code
• There are no known cases of a minister staying in post following a breach
• Ministers who have stepped down include Liam Fox, over taking a friend and lobbyist on official trips, and Mark Field, who grabbed a climate protester
• The code has existed since the Second World War but was not made public until 1992

The report is understood to have looked at Ms Patel's behaviour at three different government departments - the Home Office, Work and Pensions and International Development.

The evidence gathering was completed several months ago, but Downing Street has delayed giving a decision on the findings.

The prime minister is the ultimate arbiter of the ministerial code, and there is no requirement on the government to publish Sir Alex's report.

The BBC understands there have been conversations in government this week about how to manage the situation, with suggestions that Ms Patel may be given a reprimand, or be asked to apologise, but keep her job.

'Strong and decisive'

Earlier this week former Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill suggested there could be a "wider range of sanctions", telling MPs: "I don't think it should be binary between let off or sacked."

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA senior civil servants' union, said "thousands" of civil servants would be asking what "message" it would send if the government suggested Ms Patel did not have to resign over a "little bit of bullying".

He described the system as not "fit for purpose", adding: "We need an independent process that's not relying upon a prime minister making a political judgement rather than judging based on the evidence."

But several Conservative MPs have offered Ms Patel their support.

Tom Tugendhat tweeted that she was popular "across" the party because she was "hardworking, determined and has been very kind to many".

Another Tory MP, Julie Marson, said the home secretary was doing a "huge job", adding: "Like many women operating in a man's world, you have to be strong and decisive."

Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said it was "really important" that the report is "properly published".

He added that there may be a balance in the report "between poor behaviour of the civil servants at that stage in charge and also issues or questions over the behaviour of the minister".

Labour called on the Committee on Standards in Public Life to investigate Ms Patel, but the committee chair Lord Evans of Weardale said his body could not look into individual alleged breaches of the rules.

He added there were "weaknesses" in the current standards structures and that his committee was conducting a review into the system.

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2020-11-20 10:13:00Z
52781197589708

'This is absolutely shocking!' Emily Thornberry torn apart by James Cleverly in BBC QT row - Daily Express

The Shadow International Trade Secretary insisted that while Jeremy Corbyn has "shortcomings", he would have been a "kind and radical" Prime Minister. But Tory MP James Cleverly described her comments as "absolutely shocking" in a clash on BBC Question Time. Ms Thornberry said: "I've known Jeremy for a long time, more than 15 years.

"He's a neighbouring constituency MP to me and I believe if he has been Prime Minister, he would have been radical, kind, profoundly principled.

"He had shortcomings and one of them was that he allowed his own personal feelings get in the way, he felt he was personally under attack on the issue of anti-Semitism.

"He wasn't able to step back and take an objective view or it and make proper decisions.

"That was a profound weakness and that's something he knows."

READ MORE: BBCQT: Fiona Bruce SCOFFS at Tory MP in Boris devolution row 

BBC presenter Fiona Bruce asked: "Do you think he ever will apologise for what the EHRC called the 'failures of leadership'?"

Ms Thornberry continued: "I don't know, I don't feel it's right for me to speculate.

"I certainly hope that he does and takes this opportunity to think through but we need to move on and find a solution."

Mr Cleverly interjected: "That's absolutely shocking. How much evidence do you need?

Sir Keir Starmer's decision to block Mr Corbyn from sitting as a Labour MP despite his readmission as a party member has reignited the civil war on the opposition benches.

Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds said a "politicised" disciplinary process had resulted in Mr Corbyn's readmittance to the party after his suspension - imposed in the wake of a damning report into the handling of anti-Semitism in Labour - was lifted on Tuesday.

Labour leader Sir Keir said on Wednesday morning that he would not restore the whip, meaning Mr Corbyn will continue to sit as an independent MP and will not be part of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, an ally of Mr Corbyn, questioned whether Sir Keir would ever have been elected leader if members knew how he would act against his predecessor.

She said excluding Mr Corbyn was "wrong" and Sir Keir's actions were "no way to unite the party".

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2020-11-20 07:44:00Z
52781198101708

Matt Hancock dampens hopes of a major loosening of rules at Christmas - Daily Mail

Matt Hancock insists he wants UK-wide coronavirus rules over the festive period 'if at all possible' as he dampens hopes of a major easing of restrictions and warns 'it won't be like a normal Christmas'

• Matt Hancock said negotiations ongoing between devolved administrations
• Health Secretary said he wants UK-wide rules at Christmas 'if at all possible'
• But he dampened hopes of a major easing of curbs and said it 'won't be normal' 

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 09:06 GMT, 20 November 2020 | Updated: 09:06 GMT, 20 November 2020

Matt Hancock today poured cold water on the prospect of a major loosening of coronavirus restrictions at Christmas as he said he wants a UK-wide set of rules for the festive period 'if at all possible'. 

The Health Secretary said negotiations are ongoing between the four home nations as they try to hammer out proposals which would allow people to travel to see their family. 

But there is likely to be an uphill battle to agree terms given the dramatically different lockdown approaches which have been taken by England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in recent months. 

There had been hopes of a massive easing of draconian curbs to allow people to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. 

But Mr Hancock dampened hopes of a major lifting of restrictions as he said 'it of course won't be like a normal Christmas' and 'there will have to be rules in place'.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock today dampened hopes of a major loosening of coronavirus rules over the festive period as he warned 'it of course won't be like a normal Christmas'

Boris Johnson is under pressure from Tory MPs to loosen rules over the festive period but the Prime Minister's scientific advisers are warning that could result in a drastic spike in infections and deaths. 

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has predicted that for every day of rules being eased there would have to be five days of tough restrictions. 

But ministers are now distancing themselves from the SAGE modelling, with Department of Health sources telling The Telegraph that 'preliminary Sage modelling should not be taken as guidance for possible decisions not taken yet'. 

The England-wide lockdown is due to end on December 2 and the PM is expected to set out his post-shutdown plans next week. 

Mr Hancock today warned against any expectations of a significant easing of rules at Christmas. 

Asked on Sky News what the rules over the festive period could look like, he said: 'Again, on this we don't know yet. I know how much, how important Christmas is, it is important to my family, it is important to people right across the country.

'We want to have a set of rules, if at all possible, that is UK-wide, not least because so many people travel between different parts of the UK.

'So we are working with the devolved authorities to try to get an agreed set of rules for Christmas.

'It of course won't be like a normal Christmas. There will have to be rules in place. But we hope that they'll allow for a bit more of that normal Christmas that people really look forward to.'

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Hancock also dismissed calls for families to be allowed to make their own decisions on gathering at Christmas. 

He said: 'I believe in people having as much freedom as possible, subject to not harming others and the problem is that you can harm others even though you don't know you are doing it because this disease passes on asymptomatically.' 

Despite the gloomy forecast by the Health Secretary he did raise hopes of a mass coronavirus vaccination programme being rolled out potentially within weeks.  

He said: 'That is the hope. Nothing is guaranteed yet. Actually the big numbers in terms of if it comes through are more likely to be in the new year rather than before Christmas because we are absolutely determined that any vaccination programme will be safe.

'But nevertheless we have had really encouraging news over the last two weeks on the main vaccinations.

'In the meantime it is so important that people keep following those rules and the social distancing rules.

'There are encouraging signs that the number of cases is starting to flatten and the lockdown that we brought in earlier this month is working.

'But in the meantime everybody has got to keep following the rules. However, we have all been looking for the way out, the exit strategy, of the difficult circumstances this pandemic has necessitated and with the increasingly encouraging news on the vaccine, we can start to see that but we are not there yet.' 

Boris Johnson is expected to set out his post-lockdown plans for England next week. The national shutdown is due to end on December 2

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford today said he hoped the four home nations would at the very least be able to agree to one set of travel rules for Christmas

Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford this morning said he hoped the four nations would at the very least be able to agree one set of travel rules for the festive period.  

He said he had held discussions with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and the other first ministers of the devolved administrations on Wednesday about a UK-wide approach to Christmas restrictions, with another meeting planned for next week.

He told the BBC: 'We agreed some broad parameters on Wednesday and remitted officials of all four administrations to work now on the detail, so I remain hopeful that it will be possible to reach a four-nation approach to Christmas.

'I certainly think that is the right thing to do – if it is achievable – and certainly Wales will be at the table next week looking to find an agreement.'

Mr Drakeford said an agreement on permitting travel across the UK during the Christmas season was 'top of the list of things to agree', even if a wider agreement was not possible.

'I really do hope we can have a common approach to travel,' he added.

'It is very important for people in Wales, so many families here will have families in England and elsewhere and will be hoping to have visits from family members who live outside Wales. On travel, I am more hopeful than I was even on other aspects of our discussion.'

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2020-11-20 09:06:00Z
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