‘Her behaviour created fear’: Home Office boss quits and plans to sue government amid row over Priti Patel bullying claims

The most senior civil servant at the Home Office Sir Philip Rutnam has quit the department amid a row over alleged bullying claims levelled at Priti Patel.

Sir Philip, the permanent secretary at the Home Office, intends to sue the government for constructive dismissal.

In an extraordinary statement to cameras, he claimed he had been the “target of a vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign”.

He said: "I take this decision with great regret after a career of 33 years. I will be issuing a claim against the Home Office for constructive dismissal.

"It has been alleged that I have briefed the media against the home secretary. This is along with many other claims is completely false. The home secretary categorically denied any involvement in this campaign to the Cabinet Office.

"I regret I do not believe her. She has not made the effort I would expect to disassociate herself from the comments."

"Despite my efforts to engage with her, Priti Patel has made no effort to engage with me to discuss this. I believe that these events give me very strong grounds to claim constructive, unfair dismissal and I will be pursuing that claim in the courts.

"My experience has been extreme, but I consider there is evidence that it was part of wider pattern of behaviour. One of my duties as permanent secretary was to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our 35,000 people.

"This created tension with the home secretary and I have encouraged her to change her behaviours. I have received allegations that her conduct has included shouting and swearing, belittling people – behaviour that created fear and needed bravery to call out."

The Independent has contacted the Home Office for comment.

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