On Monday 20th April, former permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam lodged an employment tribunal claim against Priti Patel claiming he was forced from his job for exposing her bullying behaviour.
The Home Secretary is now facing legal action under whistleblowing laws. Rutnam claims he was constructively dismissed from his role in the Home Office after informing the Cabinet Office that Patel had belittled officials in meetings and made unreasonable demands on staff. Rutnam has said that he will make a “protected disclosure” under whistleblowing laws meaning Patel is the first secretary of state to have been sued by a former permanent secretary.
Patel would be expected to appear as a witness, as well as 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.
