U.K.’s Priti Patel Sued Over Bullying Claims by Home Office Head

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel was sued by the former senior civil servant in her department who alleges that her bullying led to his departure.

Philip Rutnam, the former permanent secretary at the department responsible for policing and counter-terrorism, filed a lawsuit at a London employment tribunal, his lawyers said in a statement Monday. The 54-year-old Rutnam quit in February citing a “vicious and orchestrated campaign against him.”

Patel was hit by claims of bullying earlier this year, with Rutnam accusing her of creating a climate of fear among staff. Patel was forced to deny allegations that she berated civil servants and isn’t trusted by the country’s MI5 security service.

A government spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit.

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