The following explains the events that reveal that Boris Johnson has no interest in the British people and is only concerned with looking after his chums. One rule for the them and another for everyone else.
Boris Johnson has decided Priti Patel did not breach the ministerial code over bullying accusations – prompting the resignation of his ethics adviser who oversaw an inquiry into the home secretary’s behaviour.
Sir Alex Allan, the government’s independent adviser on standards, has quit after the prime minister overruled his conclusions about Ms Patel’s conduct.
The senior official found the home secretary had “not consistently met the high standards required by the ministerial code of treating her civil servants with consideration and respect”.
“Her approach on occasions has amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying in terms of the impact felt by individuals,” Sir Alex added.
“To that extent her behaviour has been in breach of the ministerial code, even if unintentionally.”
However, he said there was “no evidence that she was aware of the impact of her behaviour, and no feedback was given to her at the time”.
Sir Alex added there had been “different and more positive behaviour” from Ms Patel since the issues were first raised with her.
A breach of the ministerial code usually leads to a prime minister – the ultimate arbiter of the code – asking the minister in question to resign.
However, in contradiction to Sir Alex’s findings, Mr Johnson judged the ministerial code was not breached by Ms Patel.
The prime minister said he had full confidence in his home secretary and “considers this matter now closed”.
A government statement said Mr Johnson had noted Sir Alex’s advice that “many of the concerns now raised were not raised at the time and that the home secretary was unaware of the impact that she had”.
“He is reassured that the home secretary is sorry for inadvertently upsetting those with whom she was working,” the statement added.
“He is also reassured that relationships, practices and culture in the Home Office are much improved.”
A government source said Sir Alex resigned because the prime minister ignored his advice.
Sir Alex said in a statement: “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.
“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.”
Sir Alex’s resignation follows an eight-month wait for the results of his inquiry into the home secretary’s behaviour, with the prime minister accused of having sat on the findings since the summer.
An investigation into bullying allegations against Ms Patel was launched in March, with the Cabinet Office asked by the prime minister to “establish the facts” over whether the home secretary breached the ministerial code.
Ms Patel thanked Mr Johnson for his support on Friday and admitted to having been “direct” with officials.
“I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people,” she said.
“It has never been my intention to cause upset to anyone. I am very grateful for the hard work of thousands of civil servants who help to deliver the government’s agenda.
“I care deeply about delivering on the commitments we have made to the people of this country and I acknowledge that I am direct and have at times got frustrated.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson had been “found wanting when his leadership has been tested” and said, if he were prime minister, Ms Patel would have been sacked.
“It is one rule for Boris Johnson and his friends, another for everyone else,” said Sir Keir.
“The prime minister has previously said he ‘loathes bullying’.
“Yet when one of his own ministers is found to have bullied their staff he ignores the damning report sat on his desk and instead protects them.”
The Labour leader called for the full findings into Ms Patel’s conduct to be published and for Mr Johnson and the home secretary to face questions in parliament next week.
However, sources said a full report won’t be published as the inquiry amounted to a collection of evidence gathered by officials – including statements by individuals – from which Sir Alex drew his published conclusions.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The fact that the independent adviser on ministerial standards has felt the need to resign means that no one can have confidence in Boris Johnson’s handling of these bullying allegations.”
The inquiry into Ms Patel’s behaviour followed the dramatic resignation of the Home Office’s most senior civil servant, Sir Philip Rutnam, amid widespread reports of a bitter feud between himself and Ms Patel.
At the time, Sir Philip revealed he had received allegations of Ms Patel “shouting and swearing, belittling people, making unreasonable and repeated demands”, and argued her behaviour had “created fear”.
His departure as the Home Office’s permanent secretary is still the subject of an employment tribunal, with Sir Philip pursuing a claim for constructive dismissal from the £175,000 per year role.
Around the same time as Sir Philip’s exit, further allegations about Ms Patel’s behaviour in government also emerged, which prompted the Cabinet Office review.
There were claims a senior Home Office official once collapsed after being confronted by Ms Patel, following an unsuccessful all-night effort to reverse a High Court ruling.
It was also reported that an official in the Department for Work and Pensions received a £25,000 payout after making bullying claims during Ms Patel’s time as an employment minister.
There were also claims about Ms Patel’s behaviour towards staff during her later spell as international development secretary.
Ms Patel rejected all of the allegations against her, while the home secretary’s supporters claimed she had been the victim of a Westminster smear campaign.
Next: Yet more controversy in No 10
