Legal and Whitehall sources have revealed that Sir Alex Allan sought to interview the former top Home Office civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam about his dealings with Patel, but was blocked by government officials.

Allan’s bullying inquiry was launched by the prime minister following the resignation of Rutnam over’s Patel’s alleged behaviour and he is suing the government for constructive dismissal. Sources say Allan was informed he could not interview Rutnam for his independent inquiry because of the legal action.

Allan, however, felt that his inquiry was being denied potentially crucial evidence. The inability of the prime minister’s former ethics adviser to question Rutnam also prompted a “spirited row” within the government’s legal department.

Following Friday’s disclosure that Patel’s behaviour had broken the rules she claimed she was unaware of her conduct. If Allan, however, had been allowed to question Rutnam it would have clearly undermined her defence.

It has also emerged that Allan’s investigation was conducted far more quickly than previously reported and that it was on the prime minister’s desk as early as April. It means Johnson elected to sit on its damning findings for seven months until pressure grew so intense that he had no option but to make its findings public.

Oh dear, have I upset your delicate sensibilities?
Shame.
Not.

Sensible, sane people are capable of recognizing that weasle words are not conclusive evidence you know so I am sure that I'm sane; are you though for believing those weasle words? - and watch out!
Your delicate demeanour is about to be truly assaulted soon.



Ooh and you're obviously not aware that quite a movement is afoot to reform the quangoist civil service.
Including our own Prime Minister who said he wants reform.

Jeremy Clarkson puts it into perspective:
"A senior civil servant who resigned from the Home Office in a huff has said that his former boss, Priti Patel, was horrid.

"Sir Philip Rutnam went on the news this week to say she used to shout and swear and that she was frightening."

Clarkson continued: "At this point I did start to think, 'Oh for God's sake, you're a grown man - grow a pair'.

"Everyone who's seen Sir Humphrey in Yes Minister knows that it's a civil servant's job to stop ministers from doing anything."
https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-...-latest-update

Oh egotistical soul ... I care not about the vagaries and inbred inherent deficiencies of the civil service, or indeed our esteemed 'let me ring Carrie and ask a friend' PM Boris ... I merely state the obvious conclusion to be drawn from such pandering and protectionism.
Bullying in the workplace must surely now be deemed a thing of the past.

Forsooth, you are well suited to a career on the stage, It is afterall pantomime season.

Substitute minister for master. It is a master and servant type relationship. Vestiges of upstairs downstairs.

There was an interesting discussion on LBC about this. About how status makes it ok to bully but if a cleaning supervisor were to act the same way and shout and swear at staff they would not last long and would be disciplined for bullying. Helps to have powerful friends.

Very true.

Methinks that both Yes Minister and The Men From The Ministry are far more accurate descriptors for these grey men of the civil service.