Quick thread on the Priti Patel bullying investigation; linking to the main documents.

TL;DR: It is not surprising that Sir Alex Allan felt it right to resign. 1/12

The starting point are the findings of the Independent Adviser (Sir Alex Allan). They are set out here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937010/Findings_of_the_Independent_Adviser.pdf 2/

One of the key parts...

“My advice is that the Home Secretary has not consistently met the high standards required by the Ministerial Code of treating her civil servants with consideration and respect... 3/

... Her approach on occasions has amounted to behaviour that can be described as bullying in terms of the impact felt by individuals. To that extent her behaviour has been in breach of the Ministerial Code, even if unintentionally." 4/

The next document is the Government statement, explaining the PM's conclusions. He 'is grateful to Sir Alex for his advice and has considered his conclusions carefully.'

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-code-investigation 5/

The statement notes that Sir Alex advised that 'the Home Secretary had not consistently met the high standards expected of her under the Ministerial Code'.

[If you recall, Sir Alex in fact said that her behaviour was in breach of it.] 6/

In his conclusion, the PM says he 'is reassured that the Home Secretary is sorry for inadvertently upsetting those with whom she was working. He is also reassured that relationships, practices and culture in the Home Office are much improved. ... 7/

... 'As the arbiter of the code, having considered Sir Alex’s advice and weighing up all the factors, the Prime Minister’s judgement is that the Ministerial Code was not breached.' 8/

So... 'The Prime Minister has full confidence in the Home Secretary and considers this matter now closed.'

It is true that under the Code, the PM is the final arbiter.

And also true that his conclusions differ sharply from those of Sir Alex. 9/

The final part of the story (so far...) is the statement from Sir Alex Allan. It is here: 10/ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-sir-alex-allan

“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.” 11/

This is very stark stuff.

The PM is ignoring Sir Alex's advice that the Ministerial Code was breached, and is belittling bullying.

He is once using his discretion to protect those close to him. It is just the latest in a long, squalid, saga. 12/12

PS One more snippet here, from Sir Philip Rutman, casting doubt about on the PM’s, and Priti Patel’s, version of events. https://twitter.com/fda_union/status/1329851837567131648