Former UK Home Office chief launches unfair dismissal claim
Sir Philip Rutnam, who resigned as Home Office permanent secretary on 29 February alleging bullying by home secretary Priti Patel, has lodged legal proceedings against her.
The FDA – the union representing high-ranking public servants, which has instructed lawyers on Rutnam’s behalf – confirmed in a statement that he submitted a claim to the employment tribunal against Patel for unfair constructive dismissal on 20 April.
It read: “Following [Sir Philip’s] resignation, the FDA instructed Gavin Mansfield QC, head of Littleton Chambers and employment law specialist, as counsel to advise Sir Philip, supported by Clive Howard, senior principal lawyer, employment and partnership, at Slater and Gordon.
“This morning, Sir Philip, with the support of his legal team and the FDA, submitted a claim to the employment tribunal for unfair (constructive) dismissal and whistleblowing against the home secretary.”
Vicious and orchestrated campaign
At the time of his resignation Rutnam, who served 33 years in the civil service, accused Patel of bullying staff – including “shouting and swearing, belittling people, and making unreasonable and repeated demands” – and mounting a “vicious and orchestrated” campaign of media briefings against him.
He said he had made efforts to make amends with Patel prior to his decision to stand down, but that these had been rebuffed. And he claimed the Cabinet Office offered him a financial settlement in exchange for signing a non-disclosure agreement, but said he turned it down in the hope that making a public stand “may help in maintaining the quality of government in this country”.
In a tweet posted on the day of Rutnam’s resignation, FDA general secretary Dave Penman said the permanent secretary could have gone quietly with financial compensation, but instead he had “chosen to speak out against the attacks on public servants. I know many thousands of his colleagues will recognise the courage and integrity he is showing in doing so”.
PM’s support
Prime minister Boris Johnson has publicly announced his support for Patel, who has denied any wrongdoing.
According to the BBC, Patel said she regretted Rutnam’s resignation in an email sent to Home Office staff last month. She thanked him for his service, but said it was “now time for the Home Office to come together as one team”, adding that she “deeply cared” about the “wellbeing” of her civil servants and valued their professionalism.
A Cabinet Office investigation, launched in March over whether Patel had breached the ministerial code amid the bullying allegations, is ongoing.
About Mia Hunt
Mia has been editor of globalgovernmentforum.com since 2019. She has 15 years’ experience as a journalist and editor and specialises in writing for civil and public servants worldwide, including covering sustainability policy and related issues. She has led the Global Government Women’s Network since it launched in 2023. Previously, she covered commercial property having been market reports and supplements editor at Property Week and deputy editor at Retail Destination. She graduated from Kingston University London with a first-class honours degree in journalism and was part of the team that produced The River newspaper, which won Publication of the Year at the Guardian Student Media Awards in 2010.
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