Priti Patel: Dwelling Secretary expresses remorse at prime official’s resignation

Priti Patel has stated she regrets the resignation of her former prime civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam amid bullying allegations in opposition to her.

In an e-mail to Dwelling Workplace workers, she thanked him for his service however stated it was “now time for the Dwelling Workplace to come back collectively as one workforce”.

She stated she “deeply cared” concerning the “wellbeing” of her civil servants and valued their professionalism.

Sir Philip stated he had been pressured out of his job after a “vicious” marketing campaign.

The prime minister has given Mrs Patel his assist however the Cupboard Workplace is investigating whether or not she broke the ministerial code.

She has not commented publicly on the allegations in opposition to her, however authorities sources have stated she denies them.

Resigning from his position on Saturday, Sir Philip stated he had obtained allegations that Ms Patel’s conduct in direction of workers included “swearing, belittling folks, making unreasonable and repeated calls for”.

He stated she had did not disassociate herself from press briefings in opposition to him and he now supposed to take authorized motion in opposition to the Dwelling Workplace on the premise of constructive dismissal.

Right here is an effort to point out a united entrance on the prime of the Dwelling Workplace after a torrid time.

There is not any direct acknowledgement of the bullying allegations levelled in opposition to Priti Patel. However with references to the significance of workers wellbeing and courtesy amongst colleagues, there’s a tacit acknowledgement of the type of controversy that has rocked the division in current weeks.

And whereas using the phrase “remorse”, on the subject of Sir Philip Rutnam’s resignation, might strike a nuanced notice of contrition the e-mail additionally means that the house secretary has little intention of leaving.

Somewhat, she’s hoping to place the episode behind her and haul this big division onto a brand new chapter.

However with Sir Philip’s plan to pursue a declare of constructive dismissal and an ongoing Cupboard Workplace inquiry (albeit one which critics declare shall be a whitewash) this saga seemingly is not over. Not but.

Within the inside e-mail to Dwelling Workplace workers, Mrs Patel thanked Sir Philip for his “lengthy and devoted profession of public service” and praised the civil service for the assist they gave to ministers.

The e-mail, co-written by Sir Philip’s performing successor Shona Dunn, provides: “We each remorse Sir Philip’s determination to resign.

“We each deeply worth the work that each individual on this division does and care concerning the wellbeing of all our workers.

“It’s due to this fact a time for us all to come back collectively as one workforce.

“We additionally recognise the significance of candour, confidentiality and courtesy in constructing belief and confidence between ministers and civil servants. Each of us are absolutely dedicated to creating positive the professionalism you’ll anticipate to assist that is upheld.”

‘Work continues’

Whereas acknowledging the “big quantity” achieved by her division in a brief interval, she stated it wanted to proceed to “drive ahead” the federal government’s priorities, together with tackling violent crime and implementing the most important adjustments to the UK’s immigration system in a era after Brexit.

“We have now probably the most essential jobs to do, retaining folks secure and our nation safe and delivering on the federal government’s priorities, which have been endorsed by the British folks on the current common election,” she wrote.

“Our work continues, and our focus should be on working, in partnership with you, to ship this agenda as the general public would anticipate.”

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The Cupboard Workplace is main an inside inquiry to “set up the info” relating to Sir Philip’s claims and whether or not they represented a breach of the ministerial code.

Labour has known as for Mrs Patel to resign whereas the First Division Affiliation union, which represents civil servants, has known as for an “impartial” inquiry into Ms Patel’s behaviour to be led by an exterior lawyer.

It emerged on Monday {that a} former aide to Mrs Patel obtained a £25,000 payout from the federal government after claiming she was bullied by the then employment minister.

Authorized correspondence seen by the BBC alleges the lady took an overdose of prescription drugs following the alleged incident in 2015. The DWP didn’t admit legal responsibility and the case didn’t come earlier than a…