MICHAEL Gove today praised Priti Patel as ‘superb’- despite announcing an inquiry into the bullying allegations against her.
Ms Patel has been struck by a wave of bullying accusations in the past week, including about her conduct at least three years before she became Home Secretary.
She is now being investigated by the Cabinet Office following the shock resignation of her top civil servant.
The head of the civil service has been asked to “establish the facts” about a possible breach of the ministerial code.
Defending her in the Commons, Mr Gove said: “The Home Secretary absolutely rejects these allegations.
“The Prime Minister has expressed his full confidence in her, and having worked closely with the Home Secretary over a number of years I have the highest regard for her.
“She is a superb minister doing a great job.
“This government always takes any complaints relating to the ministerial code very seriously.
“The Prime Minister has asked the cabinet office to establish the facts.”
Last week her top civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam quit in a dramatic press conference where he accused her of lying and “shouting and swearing” at staff.
Sir Philip — dubbed Sir Calamity — said he was the victim of a brutal briefing war and vowed to sue.
Senior Tories yesterday accused civil servants of sexism against Priti Patel.
Ex-minister Nusrat Ghani said: “She is incredibly determined. Within men that is seen as a fantastic skill and for women sometimes it’s seen as challenging.”
Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith called Sir Philip “basically incompetent” and said there was “a touch of misogyny” in briefings against Ms Patel.
He told HOAR: “There are reports of shouting and screaming – you only have to substitute this for the word hysterical and you know exactly what they mean.”
She was also backed by the Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson said: “I absolutely do have confidence in Priti Patel.
“I think she is a fantastic Home Secretary.”
