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Home Secretary Priti Patel 'deeply concerned' by 'false allegations' Home Secretary Priti Patel 'deeply concerned' by 'false MI5 claims'
(about 2 hours later)
The Home Office has dismissed what it says are false allegations against Home Secretary Priti Patel. Media reports Home Secretary Priti Patel is distrusted by intelligence chiefs and bullied her staff have been dismissed as "false" by the government.
Ms Patel was accused last week of trying to force out the most senior civil servant in her department. Officials have denied that MI5 held back information from Ms Patel, following allegations that officials lacked confidence in her abilities.
And the government has denied MI5 held back information from Ms Patel, following reports that officials lacked confidence in her abilities. She has also been accused of trying to force out Sir Philip Rutnam, the most senior civil servant in her department.
Ms Patel was "deeply concerned" by the number of recent claims, the Home Office said. The pair were both said to be "deeply concerned" by the "false allegations".
A spokesman said Ms Patel and Sir Philip Rutnam, who has been the Home Office's permanent secretary since April 2017, were "deeply concerned about the number of false allegations appearing in the media". A spokesman for Ms Patel and Sir Philip added the pair were focused on delivering their department's "hugely important agenda" such as an overhaul of the immigration system, putting more police officers on the streets and combating terrorism.
He added the pair were focused on delivering their department's "hugely important agenda" such as an overhaul of the immigration system, putting more police officers on the streets and combating terrorism. The statement comes after a source told the BBC there had been no animosity or "blazing rows" between Ms Patel and Sir Philip - who has been the Home Office's permanent secretary since April 2017 - but they were simply "not the right fit".
The statement comes after a source told the BBC there had been no animosity or "blazing rows" between Ms Patel and Sir Philip but they were simply "not the right fit".
Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Stephen Crabb told Radio 4's Westminster Hour Ms Patel was "tough" and "robust" but that he had seen no evidence of the behaviour she had been accused of.Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Stephen Crabb told Radio 4's Westminster Hour Ms Patel was "tough" and "robust" but that he had seen no evidence of the behaviour she had been accused of.
The Home Office said "no formal complaints" had been made about Ms Patel, who has been home secretary since Boris Johnson became prime minister.The Home Office said "no formal complaints" had been made about Ms Patel, who has been home secretary since Boris Johnson became prime minister.
Former Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said she is "sick of spiteful briefings against women in high public office", calling Ms Patel a "highly effective home secretary".
When asked whether she believed there was an element of misogyny to the allegations against Ms Patel she said "yes, yes I do".
Ms Villiers told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm absolutely certain that she's tough and demanding on her civil servants" but added she did not think "anything inappropriate" has gone on with her dealings with staff.
'Strong working relationship''Strong working relationship'
The Sunday Times later claimed the home secretary has not been receiving the same security and intelligence briefings as her predecessors because MI5 officials do not trust her.The Sunday Times later claimed the home secretary has not been receiving the same security and intelligence briefings as her predecessors because MI5 officials do not trust her.
A government spokesman said Ms Patel and MI5 had "a strong and close working relationship, and baseless claims to the contrary are both wrong and against the public interest".A government spokesman said Ms Patel and MI5 had "a strong and close working relationship, and baseless claims to the contrary are both wrong and against the public interest".
They added that no information was being withheld from her and she "receives the same daily intelligence briefings as her predecessors".They added that no information was being withheld from her and she "receives the same daily intelligence briefings as her predecessors".
The Times reported that a "livid" Ms Patel has asked for a inquiry to be carried out into how the "hostile briefings" about MI5 happened - although Cabinet Office sources said no such request has been made.The Times reported that a "livid" Ms Patel has asked for a inquiry to be carried out into how the "hostile briefings" about MI5 happened - although Cabinet Office sources said no such request has been made.
The allegations come alongside reports of tensions between the civil service and the government over recruitment and treatment of staff.The allegations come alongside reports of tensions between the civil service and the government over recruitment and treatment of staff.
The Cabinet Office is recruiting a new civil servant to oversee HR policy for government ministers' special advisers.The Cabinet Office is recruiting a new civil servant to oversee HR policy for government ministers' special advisers.