Priti Patel expresses ‘regret’ over top civil servant’s exit

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has expressed her “regret” over recent resignation of top civil servant in her ministry, Sir Philip Rutnam, and stressed that she valued work of all her aides in UK Home Office.

In her first response to controversy surrounding Rutnam’s shock exit over weekend amid allegations of bullying, Indian-origin minister addressed Home Office staff in an email on Tuesday to stress that she “deeply cared” about well being of civil servants and called on her team to come toger.

"We both regret Sir Philip's decision to resign. We both deeply value work that every person in this department does and care about wellbeing of all our staff,” she said in internal email, jointly written with Rutnam’s successor Shona Dunn, who is Acting Permanent Secretary.

"It is refore a time for us all to come toger as one team. We also recognise importance of candour, confidentiality and courtesy in building trust and confidence between ministers and civil servants. Both of us are fully committed to making sure professionalism you would expect to support this is upheld," read email, quoted by BBC.

Patel sought to focus on delivering government’s priorities, including implementing a new points-based immigration system, and called on Home Office team to help deliver that nda.

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email adds: "We have one of most important jobs to do, keeping people safe and our country secure and delivering on government's priorities, which were endorsed by British people at recent general election.

"Our work continues, and our focus must be on working, in partnership with you, to deliver this nda as public would expect," she said.

email follows days of controversy surrounding minister’s conduct, including fresh allegations of bullying while she was an employment minister in 2015.

UK Cabinet Office has launched an inquiry to “establish facts” but Opposition has mounted pressure on government to widen scope of inquiry and also demanded Patel's resignation.

Rutnam had resigned with an explosive television statement about a "vicious" campaign against him and also made references to Patel allegedly “shouting, swearing and belittling people” in her department. He has declared that he plans to take government to court for his unfair dismissal.

Over course of controversy, Patel has received backing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who described her as a “fantastic Home Secretary”, who is doing one of toughest jobs in country. 

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