Formal inquiry launched into bullying allegations by Priti Patel

An investigation into bullying allegations against Home Secretary Priti Patel will be carried out, the government has announced.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Michael Gove said the Cabinet Office has been asked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “establish the facts” about whether Ms Patel breached the ministerial code.

It comes after Sir Philip Rutnam, the Home Office’s most senior civil servant, quit and vowed to sue the government for constructive dismissal.

Meanwhile, the BBC and the Guardian report that Patel was accused of shouting at a former aide with “unprovoked aggression” before removing her from her job, adding that the aide received a £25,000 government payout after a threatened lawsuit in which Patel was named, the report said, adding that Patel was accused of shouting at the aide to “get lost” and “get out of her face”.

Via Sky / The Guardian / BBC