Priti Patel: Boris Johnson criticised for asking Tories to support home secretary | indy100

Boris Johnson is criticism after he attempted to get Tory MPs to rally behind Priti Patel after an inquiry found that she had “shouted and swore” at members of her staff at the Home Office.

The Home Secretary’s behaviour was described in a damming report partially published by Sir Alex Allan to “meet the definition of bullying” but that her actions could have been “unintentional.”

However, despite issuing an apology on Friday afternoon where she said “I am sorry that my behaviour in the past has upset people,” the prime minister has urged his Tory colleagues to rally around Patel who he dubbed ‘The Prittster’ in a WhatsApp message.

The message which was shared by Harry Cole of The Sun read: ‘Dead right folks. Time to form a square about the prittster.’

EXC: PM whatsapp order to Tory MPs: “Time to form a square around the prittster” https://t.co/u3GKiggVyC https://t.co/irEVhuPX6V
— Harry Cole (@Harry Cole) 1605872374

Pippa Crerar of The Mirror added that Johnson’s press secretary Allegra Stratton said that the PM ‘loathes bullying and will be taking the allegations ’very seriously.’ Stratton was reportedly pressed on why Johnson has asked other Tories to rally around Patel to which she replied: ‘This has been a testing day for her’.

PM sends order to Tory MPs via Whatsapp: "Time to form a square around the Prittster". Asked why, his press secre… https://t.co/Zgts5d9Jls
— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1605877330

Johnson’s response to this report has sparked some backlash against the prime minister who appears to be attempting to project Patel and using a nickname in what is an otherwise serious story, which has coincidentally occurred during Anti-bullying week in the UK.

Our first response on seeing this shouldn't be laughing at "The Prittster" but outrage that rather than tackle bull… https://t.co/QHbWwueXfg
— Stephen Mawhinney (@Stephen Mawhinney) 1605876847

The Prittster. The. Prittster. THE PRITTSTER. I fear I've lived too long.... https://t.co/uOiE4fxc3o
— Stephen McGann💙 (@Stephen McGann💙) 1605877058

"Time to form a square around the prittster" the words of a perfectly normal 56 year old grown up. https://t.co/P5UmXoOzUp
— Peter Smith (@Peter Smith) 1605876752

The Prittster as a nick-name for Pritti Patel is just far too close to Pritt Stick, a word redolent of primary scho… https://t.co/IlBT4JK62O
— David Baddiel (@David Baddiel) 1605878074

— (@)

It’s hugely concerning that The Home Secretary admits she bullied people but says she didn’t know she was doing it.… https://t.co/O7oOKsIoei
— DeborahFrances-White (@DeborahFrances-White) 1605881522

So during Anti Bullying Week Boris Johnson has: Publicly backed Priti Patel, ordered MPs to ‘form a square around T… https://t.co/KqVubqLmbc
— Joe (@Joe) 1605879546

By backing Priti Patel, Johnson spits in the face of everyone who’s experienced bullying at any point in their lives #ToriesOut
— Harriet Williamson (@Harriet Williamson) 1605880329

By defending Priti Patel, Boris Johnson has ( during anti-bullying week ) given the green light for bullying to rei… https://t.co/wrV9H1JBXw
— Loz Argyle ⚓ (@Loz Argyle ⚓) 1605879182

Despite the backlash, the prime minister’s call for unity does appear to have worked as a number of Tory MPs, including Iain Duncan Smith, James Cleverly, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Andrea Leadsom have all supported the Home Secretary on Twitter.

.@pritipatel is a formidable Home Secretary. Under her stewardship the HO has recruited thousands of police office… https://t.co/c1SL3rP5kh
— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob Rees-Mogg) 1605825715

I’ve worked with @pritipatel for a number of years & always found her to be strong, robust & determined to get the… https://t.co/pfbOjiRJWX
— Iain Duncan Smith MP (@Iain Duncan Smith MP) 1605825249

I’m proud that my friend and neighbour @pritipatel is leading the Home Office and delivering increased police numbe… https://t.co/6qGKTnSplf
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@James Cleverly🇬🇧) 1605820965

I have known @pritipatel for many years as a friend and colleague. Yes, she’s strong and forthright in her views w… https://t.co/DvZai4Ect7
— Andrea Leadsom MP (@Andrea Leadsom MP) 1605872668

Meanwhile, there have since been calls for Patel to resign from her position from former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell with the head of the civil servants union, Dave Penman accusing Johnson of ignoring the evidence.

I cannot believe he does not understand how civil servants will view his decision to ignore the evidence that the home secretary bullied her staff and, as such, breached the ministerial code. The only conclusion that can be reached is he simply doesn't care.

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