Home Office spent £370,000 on settling top civil servant's Patel bullying claim

8 July 2021, 22:34 | Updated: 8 July 2021, 23:16

Priti Patel was accused of bullying by Sir Philip Rutnam
Priti Patel was accused of bullying by Sir Philip Rutnam. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

The Home Office spent more than £370,000 to settle a top civil servant's tribunal claim after he quit amid allegations of Priti Patel's bullying, accounts confirm.

Former permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam accepted the six-figure sum earlier this year after launching legal action against the Home Secretary.

He dramatically resigned in February last year, accusing Ms Patel of a "vicious and orchestrated" briefing campaign against him, claiming constructive dismissal and accusing her of bullying subordinates.

An employment tribunal was due to hear his case in September.

The Home Office's annual report and accounts for 2020-21 confirm he received a payout of £340,000 plus legal costs - taking the spend to at least £370,000 plus VAT of an anticipated £6,000.

Read more: Tory MP to boycott Euro 2020 final over players taking the knee

Read more: Amber list: What are the new rules for holidays and which countries are on it?

Although the figures were previously reported, neither Sir Philip's representatives nor the department would publicly disclose the amount at the time.

The document, published on Thursday, said: "Sir Philip Rutnam resigned from his post as Permanent Secretary of the Home Office on 29 February 2020 and subsequently began legal proceedings against the department.

"On 4 March 2021, the Home Office and Sir Philip signed an agreement to settle these proceedings. As part of this settlement, the Home Office made a special payment of £340,000. A contribution to his legal costs was also made of £30,000 plus VAT."

A Government spokesperson said: “The Government and Sir Philip’s representatives jointly concluded it was in both parties’ best interests to reach a settlement rather than continuing to prepare for an Employment Tribunal.

“The Government does not accept liability in this matter and it was right that we defended the case.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Food distributed to Palestinians in Gaza amid Israeli attacks

Israeli tank shelling on crowds waiting for aid kills 45 Palestinians in Khan Younis

Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Air India Dreamliner identical to doomed flight AI171 'suffered engine failure before making emergency landing' in 2023

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a multi-storey residential house destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine

At least 14, including US citizen, dead as Russia launches massive wave of drone and missile strikes at Kyiv

Dumont Road, Stoke Newington.

40 firefighters tackle suspected gas explosion in north-east London as police probe underway

Exclusive
Government 'quietly drops' fight for tougher anti-protest laws used to arrest climate activist Greta Thunberg

Government 'quietly drops' fight for tougher anti-protest laws used to arrest climate activist Greta Thunberg

US President Donald Trump speaking to the media at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

Trump leaves G7 summit early over Middle East tensions as he issues evacuation warning for Tehran

Matthew Perry attends 'The Circle' screening during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 26, 2017 in New York City.

Doctor to plead guilty to supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with ketamine

The son of a woman who died while skydiving said she was "just trying something new" when her family lost her.

‘Caring’ mother-of-four who died while skydiving was ‘just trying something new’, son says

NHS 999 staff are quitting and suffering burnout caused by the "relentless pressure" of calls, according to new research.

NHS 999 staff quitting and suffering burnout due to ‘relentless pressure’ of calls, research finds

Using a mobile phone to use TikTok video sharing site

Warning issued over people posting medical procedures on TikTok or Instagram 'for likes'

Russ Cook

Gen-Z adults with a fitness regime ‘more likely to have a financial plan’

Daytime view of a busy Oxford Street

Sir Sadiq Khan to pedestrianise Oxford Street ‘as quickly as possible’

Low water levels at Baitings dam near Ripponden following a very dry spring

England faces ‘huge’ water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, officials warn

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in Wales.

Driver handed 10-year sentence after ramming pedestrians, including teenager, with SUV in Airbnb row

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates a goal.

Four people given suspended prison sentences for hate crimes after hanging effigy of Real Madrid star

Electricity prices in the UK are high because of the "insane" wholesale market, Parliament has been told.

UK electricity prices ‘way too high’ because of ‘insane’ wholesale market, Parliament told