Government settles with Home Office over bullying claims

09 Mar 2021

After launching legal action against Secretary of State Priti Patel for bullying allegations, former Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir Philip Rutnam has settled his Employment Tribunal claim.

The department's ex-Permanent Secretary has reportedly accepted a "significant six figure sum,” thought to be around £370,000, from the government. However, the government has accepted no liability over his allegations.

When Sir Philip resigned in February last year, he accused Ms Patel of a "vicious and orchestrated" briefing campaign against him, claiming constructive dismissal and accusing Ms Patel of bullying.

An Employment Tribunal was due to hear Sir Philip's case in September, but has now been settled out of court.

Sir Philip has issued the following statement after reaching a settlement with the government:

"I am pleased to say that the government has today settled the claims that I brought against them and which were due to be heard in an Employment Tribunal in September. I have received excellent support during this process and I would like to express warm thanks to the FDA and to my legal team, Slater and Gordon and Gavin Mansfield QC. I also want to record my appreciation and thanks to the many individuals, known and unknown to me, who have expressed their support throughout.

"This settlement resolves my own case. The FDA is continuing to pursue in separate proceedings the wider issues that have been raised. I now look forward to resuming my career."

The government has issued the following statement on the gov.uk website:

"Sir Philip Rutnam resigned from his post as Permanent Secretary of the Home Office on 29 February 2020 and subsequently began legal proceedings against the Home Office. Joining the civil service in 1987, Sir Philip is a distinguished public servant. During this period he held some of the most senior positions in the Civil Service including as Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport and the Home Office.

"The then Cabinet Secretary wrote to Sir Philip when he resigned. This letter recognises his devoted public service and excellent contribution; the commitment and dedication with which he approached his senior leadership roles; and the way in which his conduct upheld the values inherent in public service. The government regrets the circumstances surrounding Sir Philip’s resignation. The government and Sir Philip are now pleased that a settlement has been reached to these proceedings."