Our Home Priti Patel bullying row: ex-Home Office chief launches tribunal claim

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Priti Patel has denied claims that she bullied civil servants in three government departments. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

Sir Philip Rutnam takes action under whistleblowing laws, claiming constructive dismissal

Priti Patel is facing legal action under whistleblowing laws after her former permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam lodged an employment tribunal claim on Monday saying he was forced from his job for exposing her bullying behaviour.

Rutnam claims he was constructively dismissed from his role as Home Office permanent secretary after informing the Cabinet Office that Patel had belittled officials in meetings and made unreasonable demands on staff.

The development will increase pressure on Patel, who has denied claims that she bullied civil servants in three government departments, and on Boris Johnson, who has publicly backed his home secretary. She is also the subject of a Cabinet Office inquiry into her behaviour.

It is the first time that Rutnam has said he will make a claim of “protected disclosure” under whistleblowing laws and the first time that a secretary of state has been sued by a former permanent secretary.

Another consequence of a whistleblowing claim means that instead of a ceiling of £85,000 on Rutnam’s claim, there will be no upper limit to any damages he might receive.


Sir Philip Rutman addressing the home affairs select committee in February. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images

Patel would be expected to appear as a witness, along with her special advisers, and the government would be asked for full disclosure of emails and correspondence between Patel, her staff, the Cabinet Office and No 10.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...tribunal-claim