Boris Johnson’s agent quits his job after investigating the bullying allegations

An independent adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resigned in the dispute over bullying allegations against British Interior Minister Priti Patel. Patel had been accused of misconduct ranging from shouting to targeted intrigues. The cases had been investigated and largely confirmed by regulatory consultant Alex Allan. Johnson, however, argued the minister on Friday: he had not broken the rules in his office. Allan immediately quit his job.

In his investigative report, the consultant came to the conclusion that the hardline Brexit had not consistently met the high standards of “treating its officials with consideration and respect.” Their behavior included yelling and cursing. One could describe their behavior as bullying, hence Allan further. You have – perhaps unwittingly – violated the ministerial code. Normally in these cases the result is a discharge.

“It was never my intention to upset anyone”

However, Johnson said he had “full confidence” in Patel and now considers the matter closed. Patel said, “It was never my intention to upset anyone.” But it could have been direct, he admitted. The 48-year-old politician had clashed with senior officials in three ministries. Investigations into the accident began in March.

In February, a senior Interior Ministry official, Philip Rutnam, resigned to protest Patel’s behavior. He accused her of a “fierce and controlled” campaign against him. Patel had denied the allegations. Her close associate described her as a “demanding” boss, but she was not a tyrant. There were also allegations of bullying during his time as development aid minister and secretary of state in the ministry of labor.

Patel had already fallen out of favor with former premier Theresa May. The politician had to step down as development aid minister in 2017 after it became known that he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while on vacation in Israel. Patel, assigned to the right-wing Tories, even pronounced himself in favor of the death penalty, but later distanced himself from it.