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Priti Patel 'tried to move top civil servant' | Priti Patel 'tried to move top civil servant' |
(32 minutes later) | |
Home Secretary Priti Patel has tried to move the most senior civil servant in her department, it is understood. | Home Secretary Priti Patel has tried to move the most senior civil servant in her department, it is understood. |
Responding to a report in the Times, a well-placed source told the BBC there had been a "genuine disagreement" between Ms Patel and Sir Philip Rutnam. | Responding to a report in the Times, a well-placed source told the BBC there had been a "genuine disagreement" between Ms Patel and Sir Philip Rutnam. |
But they denied claims that she "bullied and belittled" officials. | But they denied claims that she "bullied and belittled" officials. |
The Home Office said "no formal complaints" had been made about Ms Patel, who has been home secretary since Boris Johnson became PM. | The Home Office said "no formal complaints" had been made about Ms Patel, who has been home secretary since Boris Johnson became PM. |
A source told BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw that Downing Street had been asked to intervene to move Sir Philip, the Home Office's permanent secretary. | A source told BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw that Downing Street had been asked to intervene to move Sir Philip, the Home Office's permanent secretary. |
They added that there had been no animosity or "blazing rows" between Ms Patel and Sir Philip but they were simply "not the right fit". | They added that there had been no animosity or "blazing rows" between Ms Patel and Sir Philip but they were simply "not the right fit". |
'Brilliant campaigner' | 'Brilliant campaigner' |
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told LBC radio that Ms Patel, MP for Witham in Essex, was "utterly professional" and "works day and night". | Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told LBC radio that Ms Patel, MP for Witham in Essex, was "utterly professional" and "works day and night". |
Asked whether the home secretary was a bully, Mr Zahawi said: "No, I don't think she is at all. | Asked whether the home secretary was a bully, Mr Zahawi said: "No, I don't think she is at all. |
"I've worked with Priti in the past on several campaigns. I've known her literally for 25 years. She is a brilliant, collegiate team player." | "I've worked with Priti in the past on several campaigns. I've known her literally for 25 years. She is a brilliant, collegiate team player." |
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We have not received any formal complaints and we take the welfare of our staff extremely seriously." | A Home Office spokesperson said: "We have not received any formal complaints and we take the welfare of our staff extremely seriously." |
Sir Philip began his current role at the Home Office in April 2017, after having served as permanent secretary at the Department for Transport for five years. | Sir Philip began his current role at the Home Office in April 2017, after having served as permanent secretary at the Department for Transport for five years. |
The former Treasury official has also served in the Business department and at media regulator Ofcom. | The former Treasury official has also served in the Business department and at media regulator Ofcom. |
Ms Patel served as international development secretary under former PM Theresa May, before resigning in November 2017. | |
Mr Johnson, a long-time ally, brought her back into government after becoming prime minister last July. |