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Boris Johnson attempted to dilute the official investigation that found Home Secretary Priti Patel intimidating staff, Whitehall sources confirmed to Sky News.
It follows claims that the prime minister tried and failed to convince his ministerial standards adviser Sir Alex Allan to tone down his conclusion that his behavior amounted to intimidation, as he encountered cases of yelling and swearing.
The adviser resigned on Friday after Johnson overturned his finding that Patel violated the ministerial code and supported his secretary of the Interior.
Sir Alex Allan resigned after the prime minister annulled his find
Offering what she described as a “full and unreserved apology,” Ms Patel took advantage of Sir Alex’s finding that she received no comment on the impact of her behavior.
However, this was disputed by Sir Philip Rutnam, WHO resign as permanent secretary of the Ministry of the Interior after accusing Ms Patel of a “vicious and orchestrated information campaign” against him.
He said he was advised not to yell at or swear in at staff one month after his appointment in 2019 and that he was told to treat staff with respect “on several more occasions.”
Sir Philip also said that he was not interviewed for the investigation despite having filed a constructive dismissal suit in a labor court.
Speaking to Sky News, former diplomat and national security adviser Lord Ricketts said: “The ministerial code is controlled by the prime minister and if the prime minister rejects the finding of his independent adviser, then clearly there is something quite wrong with the situation.
“It seems to imply that intimidation by a high-ranking minister is acceptable and that sends a very bad signal for relations between ministers and the public administration.”
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‘I feel like my behavior has upset people’
He added: “The country faces such a serious problem with recovering from the pandemic, we need ministers and public officials to work together with confidence, trust and frankness on both sides and this episode has not helped that.”
Downing Street has not denied reports that Johnson tried to influence the report’s findings, with a spokesman saying instead: “Unsurprisingly, the prime minister spoke with Sir Alex Allan to better understand the report.
“Sir Alex’s conclusions are entirely his.”
Labor has called for an urgent investigation and called for the “initial report, unedited” to be published in its entirety.
Shadow Home Office Minister Holly Lynch said: “These are serious allegations that suggest Boris Johnson attempted to interfere with an investigation into allegations of intimidation against one of his closest political allies.”
