THE SNP has renewed calls for an independent inquiry into allegations of bullying against Priti Patel amid claims a civil servant overdosed following maltreatment.
The allegations came to light days after senior civil servant Phillip Rutnam quit citing bullying by the Home Secretary, and vowed to take the government to court for constructive dismissal.
Rutnam, who was the most senior civil servant in the Home Office, accused Patel of a “vicious and orchestrated” campaign against him.
Patel allegedly told another former employee, who worked in her private office, to "get lost" in an episode of "unprovoked aggression" during her time as employment minister
They later took and overdose, according to legal papers, and spent the night being resuscitated in hospital.
Now the SNP's shadow Home Secretary Joanna Cherry has reiterated the calls for a full independent investigation into the bullying claims, and said civil servants must be able to "carry out their vital roles without fear or intimidation".
She said: "I raised this matter in the House of Commons on Tuesday, and the fresh allegations now coming to light against Priti Patel mean that there must now be a full independent inquiry into the conduct of the Home Secretary.
“Civil servants must be able to carry out their vital roles without fear or intimidation.
“Her position is becoming increasingly untenable as it seems as though Priti Patel may be creating a hostile environment inside the Home Office as well as outside of it.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations, and the remarks by top civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam that the conduct was part of a ‘wider pattern’ in the UK government, this simply cannot be brushed under the carpet.”
On Monday, before the latest allegations emerged, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told MPs Ms Patel "absolutely rejects these allegations".
But he said the prime minister had asked the Cabinet Office to "to establish the facts" around the claims.
When asked if any complaints had been made against Patel while at the DWP or in other roles, Gove said:"The inquiry that is proceeding will look at all complaints that may have been made, I cannot say more than that."
A spokesperson for the government said "All ministers are subject to the ministerial code. We do not comment on individual personnel matters."
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