HOME Secretary Priti Patel has reportedly been cleared of bullying members of her staff after an official investigation.
The review, ordered by Boris Johnson and carried out by the Cabinet Secretary, has found “no evidence” to support claims she had bullied staff at the Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions and Department for International Trade, the Telegraph reports.
The report by Sir Mark Sedwill was handed to the prime minister on his return to Downing Street on Monday after his recovery from coronavirus.
“They have looked at all the claims and found nothing,” said a Whitehall source.
“They trawled through lots of material but found no evidence.”
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, said he had told the inquiry that there was no truth in the allegations of bullying when he worked with her at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
“I was categoric in the inquiry that there was no allegation against her, nor was she investigated at the time,” he said.
He urged the Government to investigate the motives of those who had accused her of bullying.
An investigation was launched after the resignation of top civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam, who accused Ms Patel of lying and bullying staff.
In a bombshell statement he claimed she had sworn at staff and made unreasonable demands, and said he would take both her and the department to court for constructive dismissal.
He formally launched his legal action last Monday, submitting a claim to an employment tribunal and claiming he had been the victim of a “vicious and orchestrated” campaign.
The findings of Sir Mark’s report are expected to be announced tomorrow, although it’s not believed the full report will be made public.
The probe was sparked after officials in her private office at the Department for International Development complained about her behaviour.
She was accused of ridiculing and belittling staff, and exerting “heavy pressure” in emails.
There were also allegations that one member of staff at the DWP had taken an overdose – although these were rubbished by her allies.
But Ms Patel was been defended by almost 100 allies who called her a “tough, assertive and effective leader”.
More than 90 people including former Charity Commission chief William Shawcross and Conservative election guru Sir Lynton Crosby came to her defence.
The prime minister repeatedly said he would be standing by her, insisting she was doing an “outstanding job”.
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