Priti Patel Reaches Six-Figure Settlement With Former Permanent Secretary Philip Rutnam
2 min read
Priti Patel has reached an unspecified six-figure settlement with the former senior civil servant who said he was forced out of his job at the height of the bullying row involving the Home Secretary.
Sir Philip Rutnam dramatically resigned as the Permanent Secretary in the Home Office last February and accused Patel's allies of waging a "vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign" against him.
He said the Home Secretary had failed to "disassociate herself" with attacks on him published in the media, and accused her of shouting and swearing at Home Office staff.
Patel has consistently denied the allegations.
In April Rutnam submitted an employment tribunal claim for unfair dismissal.
Rutnam is believed to have received a pay-out of £340,000, a figure reportedly confirmed to the BBC by sources close to him
On Thursday he said he was "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 [union for civil servants] 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 the next stages of my career."
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government and Sir Philip’s representatives have jointly concluded that it is in both parties’ best interests to reach a settlement at this stage rather than continuing to prepare for an Employment Tribunal.
"The Government does not accept liability in this matter and it was right that the Government defended the case.”
A government spokesperson added that Rutnam was a "distinguished public servant" and paid tribute to his "devoted public service and excellent contribution" during his time in the civil servive.
"The Government regrets the circumstances surrounding Sir Philip’s resignation," they added.
"The Government and Sir Philip are now pleased that a settlement has been reached to these proceedings".
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