The comments made by Sayeeda Warsi, the former Chair of the Conservative Party, on 20 November 2020.
This slow march towards unaccountable power and the undermining of a codes and rules based system is deeply dangerous. We cannot have one standard for those that govern and another for those that are governed
British politics must not become a cesspit of Trump style politics. ? #PritiPatel
Comments from the article written by Alistair Graham, the former chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, in the Guardian on 23 November 2020.
There can be no doubt as to what the code meant when referring to bullying and harassment. Boris Johnson, in his fourth paragraph of the foreword to the current code, published in August 2019, said: “There must be no bullying and no harassment.” This can only be interpreted to read that if a minister is found to be guilty of either bullying or harassment they must give up their role as a minister. Alex Allan, as adviser to the prime minister on ministerial standards, in his investigation cleared the home secretary of harassment but clearly decided she had breached the ministerial code through bullying.
Much of my period of office, from 2004 to 2007, was concerned with how the prime minister dealt with allegations of misconduct by ministers. The committee wanted to ensure that such allegations were properly investigated by an independent person who would report directly to the prime minister, who would be the final arbiter as to what sanction to apply, though we argued any independent report should be published.
The committee was successful in ensuring there was such an adviser on ministerial standards. One of the first appointees was Philip Mawer, who previously had been an outstanding parliamentary commissioner for standards. He was followed by Allan, who has been a long serving and highly respected civil servant, whom I have worked closely with as a member of the Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel. His diligence and integrity cannot be doubted. His resignation speaks for itself as to how the government has dealt with the allegations against the home secretary.
The comments made by Scott Benton, the Conservative MP for Blackpool South, on 19 November 2020.
Priti Patel is the best Home Secretary we’ve ever had. Her tough views on immigration & crime are shared by the public. The left-liberal establishment know it and will do everything they can to undermine her and the brilliant job she’s doing.
The comments made by Dehenna Davison, the Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland, on 19 November 2020.
Being Home Secretary is one of the toughest jobs around, and it takes a tough character to take it on. Priti Patel is working non-stop to deliver what our country voted for – things like more police on our streets and creating a points-based immigration system.
Since I entered Parliament, Priti Patel has been one of the kindest, most supportive people I’ve met. I’ve lost count of how often she’s found time in her hectic diary to discuss local issues and even just to check in and see how I’m doing, or offer advice on being a new MP.
The comments made by Ken Clarke, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Times Radio on 21 November 2020.
It was assumed before that if an investigation was taken this far and if anyone was found to have broken the ministerial code, I don’t think anyone would have doubted the minister, to use the old phrase, would have to consider his or her position.
The comments made by Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 22 November 2020.
Two days ago Tory MPs ordered to tweet effusive, over the top praise for Priti Patel.
Fast forward to Sunday & Tory sources briefing she is now set to be demoted.
After Cummings, exams fiasco, free school meals and gazillions of other u turns, when will these Tory MPs learn?
The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the BBC Andrew Marr Show on 22 November 2020.
Andrew Marr: Yes. It is said that the prime minister had asked the official concerned in this report to water down the language. Would that have been an appropriate thing to do?
Rishi Sunak: Well, that’s not what happened. And the independent adviser conducted a detailed review at the request of the Prime Minister because he takes this matter very seriously and that’s right because it is a serious issue. That review concluded, the findings have been published, the Prime Minister has spent a lot of time considering them in the round, has reached the conclusion that Priti is not a bully and she has offered a full and unreserved apology for what’s happened and as far as the Prime Minister’s concerned that draws a line under this and we should get back to focusing on what people want, which is tackling crime and making sure that our communities are safe, and on a personal level I’ve worked closely with Priti and found her to be entirely kind and very focused and passionate about what she does.
The comments made on Twitter by Steve Reed, the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on 22 November 2020.
Scandal-prone Jenrick defends Priti Patel’s bullying breach of the Ministerial Code – no surprise there, Johnson blocked the Cabinet Secretary from assessing whether Jenrick had broken the same code after he unlawfully helped a billionaire Tory donor dodge £millions in tax.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 20 November 2020.
Yet again, the Prime Minister has been found wanting when his leadership has been tested. If I were Prime Minister, the Home Secretary would have been removed from her job.
It is hard to imagine another workplace in the UK where this behaviour would be condoned by those at the top. The Government should be setting an example. Instead, it is one rule for Boris Johnson and his friends, another for everyone else.
The Prime Minister has previously said he ‘loathes bullying’. Yet when one of his own ministers is found to have bullied their staff he ignores the damning report sat on his desk and instead protects them.
In the interest of transparency, the report into Priti Patel’s conduct and any drafts should now be fully published and the Prime Minister and Home Secretary should come to the House on Monday to face questions on their conduct.