Bullying inquiry head quits as PM backs Patel

Published6 minutes ago

Boris Johnson's adviser on ministerial code resigns after the PM backs Home Secretary Priti Patel after bullying inquiry.

The government's standards adviser Sir Alex Allan found Ms Patel's approach "amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying".

Ms Patel released a statement saying she was sorry "that my behaviour in the past has upset people".

The government said the PM had "full confidence" in his home secretary.

A statement said Mr Johnson was "reassured that the home secretary is sorry for inadvertently upsetting those with whom she was working".

"He is also reassured that relationships, practices and culture in the Home Office are much improved," it said.

Sir Alex announced his resignation as the prime minister released his statement on the report's findings.

"I recognise that it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the ministerial code," he said.

"But I feel that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister's independent adviser on the code."

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