Priti Patel’s future hangs in the balance today after her top civil servant quit and branded the Home Secretary a liar.
In an unprecedented outburst Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir Philip Rutnam said he would sue the Government for constructive dismissal.
And he accused Ms Patel of a “vicious and orchestrated campaign” driving him out.
Sir Philip said Ms Patel told the Cabinet Office she was not involved in briefing against him. He added: “I regret I don’t believe her.”
He claimed that speaking out would mean losing the generous payoff offered by the Cabinet Office to buy his silence.
Sir Philip, a loyal civil servant for 33 years, was probing claims that Ms Patel shouted, swore at and “belittled” staff.
A well-placed Whitehall source said: “Priti must be toast now. What Philip says to an employment tribunal will be dynamite.” Ex-immigration minister Caroline Nokes, who worked closely with Sir Philip, said: “Philip is diligent and hard-working.
“He’ll be a great loss to the Home Office.”
Commons Home Affairs Committee member Stephen Doughty said: “Priti Patel’s position must now be in question. She’s already had to resign from the Cabinet once.
“This is clear evidence of a dysfunctional Government driven by a toxic culture at the very top.” Labour ’s Jon Trickett demanded Boris Johnson makes an urgent statement to Parliament to answer Sir Philip’s allegations.
Labour leadership front-runner Sir Keir Starmer said: “It is unprecedented for a senior civil servant to raise concerns in such a public way.
“Effective government demands that those who dedicate themselves to public service can do so in an environment free of bullying and harassment.”
Lib Dem Home Affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said: “The Tories are acting like Donald Trump . The way these Conservatives are treating public servants is outrageous.”
Days ago Sir Philip released a joint statement with Ms Patel saying she was not a bully. Now he says: “I received allegations her conduct included shouting and swearing, belittling, unreasonable and repeated demands. Behaviour that created fear and needed some bravery to call out.”
Ms Patel was sacked as International Development Secretary by ex-PM Theresa May in November 2017 for holding unauthorised meetings with Israelis. She was brought back into Cabinet by Mr Johnson when he became PM last year.
Meanwhile, former Chancellor Sajid Javid overshadowed successor Rishi Sunak’s Budget by revealing he’d have cut 2p off income tax.
